20/02/2013

Companies On Trial Over Fatal 2006 School Bus Crash

The trial has begun of two Irish companies in connection with a fatal school bus crash in 2006.

15-year-old Michael White died on April 4 when the bus he was riding in went out of control and crashed near Clara in Co Offaly on 4 April.

Opening the trial against O'Reilly Commercials of Ballinalack, Mullingar, and Ruairi and Raymond McKeown of River Street, Clara, owners of a bus hire company, Senior Counsel Caroline Biggs said the State would show no action was taken to maintain the bus when witnesses noticed it was lopsided days before and on the morning of the fatal accident.

O'Reilly Commercials face a number of charges for failing to note defects to the Mercedes bus involved in the crash when it was tested in August 2005 while owned by another person.

Ruairi and Raymond McKeown, who are also partners in Clara Cabs, both face a number of charges under the Health and Safety Act 2005 of failing to keep the bus in a safe condition, a consequence of which a person died.

All defendants deny the charges.

(H/GK)


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