An east Clare woman has pleaded not guilty to the careless driving causing the death of William Hickey at Mountshannon in November 2022.
At Ennis Circuit Court today, Libby Gunning (45) of Ogonnelloe, Scarriff pleaded not guilty to driving a 06-registered vehicle on November 5th 2022 at the R352 road at Mountshannon, Scariff without due care and attention thereby causing the death of William Hickey who was aged in his 80s.
The charge is contrary to section 52(1) and 52(2)(a) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
Ms Gunning pleaded not guilty before a jury panel and in court today, Judge Francis Comerford impaneled a jury of 12 and evidence is due to commence in the case on Wednesday morning.
Judge Comerford said that the trial will continue for the rest of this week. Ms Gunning is legally represented in the case by barrister, Patrick Whyms BL and solicitor, Daragh Hassett.
Counsel for the State, Patrick Reynolds BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that a number of witnesses will be called in the case and he listed the witnesses that includes civilian witnesses, witnesses from the emergency services and Garda witnesses.
Judge Comerford formally put the jury in charge of the case before advising them to return to court on Wednesday morning for the start of the trial.
On Wednesday morning, the State will first give an outline of the case against Ms Gunning with the first witnesses to be then called on behalf of the State.
