The court has been told cyclist Mary White was well lit and "available to be seen". The Dublin Bus driver charged in relation to her death denies the charge.
Cyclist Mary White died after crash on Burlington Road, Dublin
A Dublin Bus driver has gone on trial accused of careless driving that allegedly caused the death of a cyclist in the city four years ago.
Mary White (55) died in hospital two days after being involved in a road traffic collision on Burlington Road, south Dublin.
She was taken from the scene, at a T junction on Burlington Road, at about 9.40pm on November 17th, 2014.
Dublin Bus driver Osborn Irabor (58), French Park, Tyrrelstown, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
His trial began in the courts today. The court told the dead woman had suffered serious head injuries in a crash involving a bus.
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While she was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital she was pronounced dead there two days later.
Antonia Boyle BL for the DPP told the jury that momentary inattention qualifies as careless driving.
The jury was told there was no allegation that Mr Irabor was driving dangerously. And it was not being claimed he was going too fast in his bus.
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The State was arguing that Mr Irabor did not exercise sufficient care as he turned right onto Burlington Road.
Ms White was cycling from the right and bus and cyclist collided with fatal consequences.
The court was told Ms White was wearing reflective clothing and had lights that were working. She was “available to be seen” on the road as a result, the State is arguing.
Garda Michael McHugh told the court he arrived on the scene while he was on bicycle patrol.
He saw a bus stopped in the middle of the road and then heard and saw the accused man in a distressed state.
Ms White was on the ground and was clearly very badly injured, the Garda witness told the court.
Mr Irabor was breathalysed and passed that test. A cyclist’s helmet and rear light were found at the scene.
For the accused man, Mr Garnet Orange SC put it to Garda McHugh that while some cyclists behaved well on the road, others less so.
Garda McHugh replied he would also see a range of driving from motorists in vehicles.
Mr Orange said while many cyclists made an effort to be seen and fitted lights on their bikes at this time of year, they faded over time and were less visible.
The trial continues tomorrow.
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