03/03/2008

Court To Set Date Over Navan Bus Crash

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court is expected to set a date today for a trial over the Navan bus crash which killed five schoolgirls almost three years ago.

The hearing was postponed last week after a judge revealed there were no court rooms available, prompting criticism of the Courts Service.

The schoolgirls' families expressed dismay over the long delays in the case and lawyers for the state also argued the trial should be given priority.

The bus crashed on May 23rd, 2005, during a school run when it overturned on the Kentstown Road out of Navan.

Keltank Ltd of Balbriggan, Co Dublin, which had a contract to service the bus, and McArdle's Test Centre in Dundalk, Co Louth, which inspected the vehicle, face charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act.

The trial began in Meath last March but collapsed after it emerged a juror had allegedly attended the funeral of one of the five schoolgirls. He denied being at the service.

(CD/JM)

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