Castlebar Courthouse

Mayo man extradited from Chicago is facing charges over 2017 fatal crash in Tourmakeady

Defendant is returned for trial to the next sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court on January 26

A Mayo man extradited from the United States overnight has appeared before Castlebar District Court today on a charge of dangerous driving causing death.

Francis Carr, Cappaghduff, Tourmakeady, was the driver of a car which was involved in a road crash three and a half years ago which claimed the lives of his passengers - Orla O’Malley (18), Cross, Co. Mayo, and Sean Halloran, (20), Clonbur, Co. Galway.

Orla O’Malley, a student nurse, was a back-seat passenger and Sean Halloran was in the front seat of a car which crashed into a wall at Churchfield, Tourmakeady, in the early hours of June 4, 2017.

The trio had been returning from a Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta GAA event in Tourmakeady when the accident occurred.

Subsequent to the crash, Carr, who was seriously injured, left for the United States.

On February 14, 2018, Carr was formally charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of two people at Castlebar Court and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

He was subsequently arrested on foot of an extradition warrant on July 22 last in Chicago and held in custody since.

He was extradited from the U.S. overnight and was arrested when his flight arrived at Dublin Airport early today.

When he appeared before Judge Fiona Lydon at Castlebar District Court, Sergeant Margaret O’Connor gave evidence of arresting him at the airport at 6.49 a.m.

Sergeant O’Connor said that when she charged the accused at 10 a.m. he said: "No reply” to the charge.

Mr. Vincent Deane, State Solicitor for Mayo, said the DPP has directed trial on indictment in the matter.

Mr. Deane asked for a return for trial to the next sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court on January 26.

Mr. Tom Walsh, solicitor, told the court there was no application for bail. The accused was prepared to remain in custody, the solicitor said.

Mr. Walsh requested and was granted free legal aid for his client who, he said, was a young man who had been in the custody of the American authorities for a considerable period of time and had no employment here.