Limerick dad had leg amputated during collision which took his life, court hears

THE SON of a 63-year-old Limerick man who died in a collision has said that his father “did not deserve” what happened and that “no sentencing or apology will make up for the void” that will impact the family for the rest of their lives.

Petr Danis, aged 46, of Charleville, Co Cork, but originally from the Czech Republic, appeared before Judge Mary Morrissey at Limerick Circuit Court in relation to to matter this Wednesday.

He has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving which, in turn, caused the death of Tournafulla native Dan Curtin on February 2, 2024, on the R515 at Kilmallock.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckely, instructed by County Limerick State Solicitor Brendan Gill, outlined to the court that on this date, after 2pm, Mr Curtin was riding a motorcycle when a car, driven by Petr Danis, collided with him.

At the scene, it was determined that the 63-year-old’s injuries were not compatible with life.

Judge Morrissey heard Mr Curtin had recently retired and taken a keen interest in motorbikes, purchasing a new model prior to his death.

A statement was read to the court from a woman who was present at the time of the collision. She said that while travelling in her car, Mr Curtin overtook her safely on a straight stretch of road.

Shortly later, she came across the incident and noticed that he was on the ground while another man, Petr Danis, was walking around holding his head. The witness called 999 and attempted to assist.

Shortly before this, a man, who was driving at a crossroads, told gardai he observed a white SUV “travelling fast and faster” approximately 1km from the scene of the incident. This was later identified as Mr Danis’ vehicle.

It was heard that a third witness then saw this same car crashed into the wall of a property. The bumper was in a green area and the airbags had been deployed.

The motorbike at the scene was described as being “in tatters” around the road.

Close by on the ground was 63-year-old Dan Curtin, who was living in Dromahane, Co Cork, with his wife.

He was a father to three grown-up children. Members of his family were present in the Circuit Court.

Following the collision, an off-duty paramedic had stopped to assist. She began compressions but determined his injuries were incompatible with life.

Judge Morrissey heard that Mr Curtin’s right leg, from the knee down, had been amputated during the collision.

A number of people attempted CPR before a blanket was placed over the father-of-three.

Shane Dillon, aged 31, of Smiths Lane, Charleville, who spoke with the family of the deceased at the scene, made a statement to gardai.

Mr Dillon said that he was travelling behind Mr Danis’ vehicle, in a van, and saw the collision and a “loss of control” take place.

However, it was established that this was not the truth.

After CCTV was harvested, it emerged that Shane Dillion’s van was in front of the defendant.

Petr Danis told gardai that this van was stopped on the road, with no indicators on, but at the time, he did not know whether it was moving or stationary.

Realising it was in fact stopped with no flasher lights, he said he deployed his emergency brakes to avoid striking this vehicle, which is when his car swerved and hit motorcyclist Dan Curtin.

He did believe he was driving “a little faster than I should have been” and said he was “really sorry about what happened” but that he “thought the van was moving.”

Mr Danis told gardai “I don’t know how to describe what happened” but that after he deployed brakes his car “started to skid” and that the next thing he remembered was crashing into a brick wall.

It was heard that Shane Dillon was intending to enter a relative’s home at this time.

Mr Dillon was contacted by gardai, who gave him an opportunity to disclose the truth. However, Mr Dillon told them: “That’s what happened on the day.”

Once footage of what took place was presented to Shane Dillon, he told gardai: “I don’t know why I lied.”

He stated he “panicked” and “wanted to tell the truth.”

It was the prosecuting barrister’s view that Dillon was “influencing the investigation” to avoid blame.

He was convicted of giving a false account to gardai and received a €400 fine.

A forensic collision investigator corroborated Peter Danis’ account that he did deploy emergency brakes and steered to the right side, seemingly to avoid colliding with the van, onto the incorrect side of the road.

An analysis strongly suggested that Mr Danis was travelling above the 80kmph speed limit.

On Dan Curtin’s injuries, a doctor at University Hospital Limerick said in a report that not only had his leg been severed, which was later located over a hedge, the 63-year-old also suffered multiple pelvic fractures, a pubic fracture and his right lung had a “degree of collapse,” among other injuries.

It was heard that the amputation was believed to have been sustained after his right leg became trapped between his motorbike and Petr Danis’ car during the collision. He was thrown approximately 2.5m.

Mr Curtin’s cause of death was established as polytrauma consistent with a road traffic collision.

Representing the accused, Barrister Nicholas Hall said his client comes before the courts with no previous convictions and has been living in Ireland for 12 years.

He reminded the judge that Mr Danis was cooperative, consistent in his account and admitted to speeding.

The man, who is originally from the Czech Republic, entered a signed guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.

In a victim impact statement, Eoin Curtin said that his father “did not deserve” what happened and that “no sentencing or apology will make up for the void” that will impact the family for the rest of their lives.

Upon hearing facts of the case, Judge Mary Morrissey now needs to consider “a lot” of the materials that were presented to the court following the “significant tragedy.”

She will sentence Petr Danis on Wednesday, November 18.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.