Woman charged with careless driving after Cork road death

A 49-year-old woman has been returned for trial after being charged with careless driving causing the death of a 41-year-old motorcyclist in North Cork eight months ago.

Jennifer Connery appeared at Fermoy District Court yesterday where she was charged with careless driving causing the death of TJ Sweetnam at Ballinrush, Kilworth on the 22nd of August 2015.

Sgt John McNamara gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that Ms Connery made no reply to the charge when it was put to her after she was arrested and cautioned.

Insp Tony O'Sullivan told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that Ms Connery be tried on indictment on the single charge at circuit court level before a judge and jury.

Sgt McNamara then served the book of evidence in the case on Ms Connery whom court heard had travelled from the UK where she lives at Wills Crescent, Whitton Park in Hounslow in London.

Insp O'Sullivan said the DPP consented to the matter being sent forward for trial at the next sittings of Cork Circuit Criminal Court, commencing on April 19th and he applied for a return to that date.

Judge Brian Sheridan granted the application and remanded Ms Connery on her own bond of €500 to appear at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on April 19th after hearing gardaí had no objection to bail.

Ms Connery's solicitor, Kieran O'Keeffe, said that his client was reserving her position with regard to free legal aid to defend and Judge Sheridan acknowledged his submission on the matter.

The late Mr Sweetnam was a mechanic from Ballinrush, Kilworth and was close to home when he was fatally injured in a road traffic collision near the Corbett Court restaurant on August 22nd last.

A motorcycle enthusiast who worked at Cavanagh’s garage in Fermoy, the late Mr Sweetnam is survived by his mother, Anne, sisters, Liz and Georgina and brothers, Richard, Liam and Peter.