25/04/2012
Tram Driver Trial Begins
The trial of a Luas driver, charged with crashing his tram into a bus on O’Connell Street, has started today.
39-year-old Oriyomi Emmanuel of Jamestown Park, Ratoath, Co Meath, has pleaded not guilty under the Railway Safety Act to the unsafe operation of a tram at the junction of Middle Abbey Street and O’Connell Street on September 16th, 2009.
The bus driver, Paul Bonney, has told the court that he had a green light to go through the junction when the Luas hit him. He also gave evidence that after the crash the front of the Luas was inside the bus, at the wheelchair seating area.
A Garda witness also said the nose of the tram had penetrated the bus by “two to three feet” and that two women were trapped underneath.
Recalling the events Mr Bonney told the prosecutor, Garnet Orange, that he was driving the No 16 bus south on O’Connell Street and was having an uneventful journey until he reached the Abbey Street junction. He had “plenty of passengers” and most of them were seated.
He drove the bus in a “normal, professional manner” at 25-30km/h and drove through the Abbey Street junction as he “had a green light”. He saw the Luas coming towards the cab of the bus and accelerated forward to try and get out of the way.
Garda Sgt Brian Cullen said when he got to the scene he saw the “walking wounded” being treated by emergency services. The Luas had “impaled” the bus by two to three feet; rescue workers were tending to two women trapped under its nose.
George Doyle was driving a tram in the opposite direction and was waiting at the lights at the other end of the junction. He said he was stopped there for about 30 seconds and that the junction “looked clear to me”, when he saw the other tram begin to move.
Mr Doyle said he did not have a go signal for his tram and agreed with Mr Orange that most of the time both trams at a junction get a go signal at the same time. However, he added that it was “not unusual” for only one to get the signal.
The trial continues before Judge Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of eight men and four women.
(H)
39-year-old Oriyomi Emmanuel of Jamestown Park, Ratoath, Co Meath, has pleaded not guilty under the Railway Safety Act to the unsafe operation of a tram at the junction of Middle Abbey Street and O’Connell Street on September 16th, 2009.
The bus driver, Paul Bonney, has told the court that he had a green light to go through the junction when the Luas hit him. He also gave evidence that after the crash the front of the Luas was inside the bus, at the wheelchair seating area.
A Garda witness also said the nose of the tram had penetrated the bus by “two to three feet” and that two women were trapped underneath.
Recalling the events Mr Bonney told the prosecutor, Garnet Orange, that he was driving the No 16 bus south on O’Connell Street and was having an uneventful journey until he reached the Abbey Street junction. He had “plenty of passengers” and most of them were seated.
He drove the bus in a “normal, professional manner” at 25-30km/h and drove through the Abbey Street junction as he “had a green light”. He saw the Luas coming towards the cab of the bus and accelerated forward to try and get out of the way.
Garda Sgt Brian Cullen said when he got to the scene he saw the “walking wounded” being treated by emergency services. The Luas had “impaled” the bus by two to three feet; rescue workers were tending to two women trapped under its nose.
George Doyle was driving a tram in the opposite direction and was waiting at the lights at the other end of the junction. He said he was stopped there for about 30 seconds and that the junction “looked clear to me”, when he saw the other tram begin to move.
Mr Doyle said he did not have a go signal for his tram and agreed with Mr Orange that most of the time both trams at a junction get a go signal at the same time. However, he added that it was “not unusual” for only one to get the signal.
The trial continues before Judge Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of eight men and four women.
(H)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 April 2012
Luas Driver Trial Continues
39-year-old Oriyomi Emmanuel has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the unsafe operation of a tram at the junction of Middle Abbey Street and O’Connell Street, Dublin, on September 16th, 2009. The jury heard that when Mr Emmanuel was arrested and interviewed, he insisted he had a “proceed signal” when he advanced.
Luas Driver Trial Continues
39-year-old Oriyomi Emmanuel has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the unsafe operation of a tram at the junction of Middle Abbey Street and O’Connell Street, Dublin, on September 16th, 2009. The jury heard that when Mr Emmanuel was arrested and interviewed, he insisted he had a “proceed signal” when he advanced.
18 September 2009
Luas Crash Teen Fights For Life
As separate investigations into the cause continued today, a teenage girl is fighting for her life after this week's Luas/bus crash in Dublin. Questions centre on how the double decker appeared to have had a green light when entering the junction before hitting the Luas tram.
Luas Crash Teen Fights For Life
As separate investigations into the cause continued today, a teenage girl is fighting for her life after this week's Luas/bus crash in Dublin. Questions centre on how the double decker appeared to have had a green light when entering the junction before hitting the Luas tram.
26 January 2017
Bus Éireann 'Directly Threaten' School Bus Service - SIPTU
Bus Éireann has "directly threatened" the future of a school bus service, according to trade union SIPTU. The union made the allegation following the presentation of a pay claim at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
Bus Éireann 'Directly Threaten' School Bus Service - SIPTU
Bus Éireann has "directly threatened" the future of a school bus service, according to trade union SIPTU. The union made the allegation following the presentation of a pay claim at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
06 August 2013
Fianna Fáil Calls On Varadkar To Open Bus Lanes
Bus lanes around Dublin city should be opened to traffic during the ongoing Dublin Bus strike, a Fianna Fáil (FF) Senator has said. FF party spokesperson Darragh O'Brien, has called on the Minister for Transport to open up all bus lanes in Dublin to help commuters affected by the Dublin Bus strike.
Fianna Fáil Calls On Varadkar To Open Bus Lanes
Bus lanes around Dublin city should be opened to traffic during the ongoing Dublin Bus strike, a Fianna Fáil (FF) Senator has said. FF party spokesperson Darragh O'Brien, has called on the Minister for Transport to open up all bus lanes in Dublin to help commuters affected by the Dublin Bus strike.
07 April 2014
Woman Dies After Car And Tram Collide
A woman has died after a tram and car collided in Dublin city centre. The victim, understood to be a pedestrian, was said to have been struck by the car after it collided with a Luas. The incident happened at the junction of Jervis Street and Abbey Street Upper at around 8.45am on Monday. The woman, in her 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Woman Dies After Car And Tram Collide
A woman has died after a tram and car collided in Dublin city centre. The victim, understood to be a pedestrian, was said to have been struck by the car after it collided with a Luas. The incident happened at the junction of Jervis Street and Abbey Street Upper at around 8.45am on Monday. The woman, in her 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.