A judge yesterday refused to allow an Italian national to return home while awaiting trial on a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of Dublin mother of three, Mrs Cora Hallinan.
Mr Alessandro Antonelli (23), of Via Roma, Prato, Florence, was the driver of one of two cars involved in a fatal accident near Arklow, Co Wicklow, on Wednesday last. Two people, including a passenger in the defendant's car, were killed and seven were injured.
A solicitor, Mr David Tarrant, argued that the book of evidence would take several months to prepare and that his client, who is working with handicapped children in Italy in lieu of military service, is destitute in this country.
However, Insp John Cassells objected to any change in the bail terms. The only delay in preparing the book of evidence was because several witnesses still cannot be interviewed because of their injuries.
Judge Donnacha O Buachalla refused to vary the bail terms and remanded Mr Antonelli on continuing bail to appear in Wicklow Court again on September 15th.