A Kerry man is standing trial accused of driving over a young woman with a van almost four years ago.
26-year-old Caimin Sheedy of Rusheen, Firies, faces one count of the reckless endangerment at the trial before Judge Alec Gabbett in Tralee.
Mr Sheedy pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned yesterday morning.
Opening the case yesterday morning, prosecuting barrister Tom Rice said the complainant in the case, a young woman named Mollie Hegarty, was visiting Killarney for a night out with her friends on 18th July 2022.
Mr Rice said Ms Hegarty and her group of friends met the accused man, Caimin Sheedy, for the first time in The Grand in Killarney on that night.
Mr Rice said Mollie Hegarty and a number of other young people went back to the house of Mr Sheedy’s mother in Firies, which is also his home, where this alleged incident occurred in the early hours of 19th July 2022.
He said the prosecution will argue Mr Sheedy drove a commercial van in the vicinity of the house in Firies, knocked down Ms Hegarty, and then drove over her.
Mr Rice said it is the prosecution’s case that this conduct created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to Molly Hegarty, and the prosecution must prove this.
He said there will be evidence from the complainant, Ms Hegarty, and other young people who were there on the night in question.
Mr Sheedy is represented by Senior Counsel Séamus Roche, instructed by Katie O’Connell BL and solicitor Eimear Griffin.
The jury of seven women and five men will begin hearing evidence in the case today.
