A taxi-driver was killed when a Mercedes car crashed into him while he drove on a country lane at Clonsilla in 1998, a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has been told.
Mr Jason Tolan (22), with an address at Drumheath Drive, Mulhuddart, pleads not guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Arthur Murphy at Grange Road, Clonsilla, on July 30th, 1998.
He also denies dangerous driving causing Mr Murphy's death and unlawful use of the vehicle on the same occasion.
Mr Michael Durack SC (with Mr Cormac Quinn), prosecuting, told the jury it would have to decide if the accused was the driver of the car on that occasion.
Manslaughter was "one step down from murder" in the category of crimes, and it was the prosecution's case that Mr Tolan's driving was so dangerous it warranted an unlawful killing or manslaughter charge.
Patrolling garda∅ followed it at speeds of up to 90 m.p.h. and soon afterwards came on the accident scene.
Mr Durack said it appeared the Mercedes had failed to take the bend on Grange Road and crashed into the late Mr Murphy's car, which had been travelling towards Clonsilla.
Mr Donal O'Brien, of Fairyhouse Lodge, Ratoath, told the jury he parked his Mercedes 200E in his driveway on the night of July 27th, 1998. At about 6 a.m. the next morning he heard noises in the house and found out his car was gone.
The hearing continues before Judge Dominic Lynch.