Dramatic dashcam footage of Cork truck accident played in court

Irish Independent

12-06-2025

Aidan Keely, 50, of Churchfield Terrace, Dromahane, Mallow, gave Gardaí a statement saying that he received 19 staples in his head following the incident on May 12, 2013, in which his truck slowly veered off the road at the N20 near Burnfort before overturning on its side.
However, Defence Solicitor David O'Meara told Judge Colm Roberts that due to a misunderstanding between himself and his client, Mr Keely wasn't in court today, but was happy for the Gardaí to give evidence on the charge of careless driving.
The court heard that the truck was loaded with grain when the incident occurred, which Mr Keely said he had no recollection of, telling Gardaí in a statement that his last memory was picking up a load at the Port of Cork in Ringaskiddy, having come from Skibbereen.
Garda Megan Murphy, who was at the scene, said that grain had spilt across the road following the incident, and that Mr Keely had suffered a serious head injury and had to be brought in for treatment. Ms Murphy also told the court that the road had to be closed for several hours to facilitate clearing the scene.
Garda Murphy, under cross-examination from Inspector Paul Aherne from Mallow Garda Station, told the court that cranes and machinery were needed to remove the truck. Two mobile phones were examined and found that Mr Keely wasn't on his phone, nor was he over the driving break limit as per his tachograph.
However, in the statement, 50-year-old Mr Keely had admitted he was under physical and emotional pressure before the incident.
Judge Colm Roberts had asked Garda Murphy if she had asked him whether he had been sleeping well in the lead up to the incident, which Garda Murphy said she didn't.
'Having no sleep can have the same impact as being a drunk driver. I would suggest asking people 'How much sleep have you had in the last few days?',' said the Judge.
Dashcam footage was then played to the court, which showed the truck, from various angles, slowly veering into the left-hand verge, before turning over on its right-hand side.
'He just lost control. This is probably due to the exhaustion,' said Judge Roberts.
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Garda Murphy, in responding to questions from Detective Inspector Aherne, said that Mr Keely was driving a 'Dairygold truck, filled with feed,' and that the incident happened on the N20 at Burnfort, which Garda Murphy described as a 'very busy road.'
'He just missed a blue BMW that had just overtaken him beforehand,' Garda Murphy told the court.
Garda Aherne told Judge Roberts that a truck driving behind Mr Keely could also be seen flashing its lights on the footage, in what Mr Aherne said was a bid to signal the driver's attention, who he believed was driving erratically in the lead up to the incident.
Defence solicitor David O'Meara said his client does intend to give evidence and declined to comment in lieu of appearing for the next date with his client.
Judge Colm Roberts agreed to an adjournment for determination and finalisation, for mention on June 24.