Kildare man sent for trial for alleged dangerous driving causing the death of his friend
It was the first fatal road accident of 2024
A man charged with alleged dangerous driving causing death has been sent forward for trial to Naas Circuit Court.
Adam Maher, 27, whose address was given as 104 Loughminane Green, Kildare town, is also being prosecuted for driving under the influence of cocaine at the M7 on January 1 last.
The accident claimed the life of 27-year-old father of two Keith Higginbotham, Blackditch, Nurney, who was a passenger in a car that left the road and struck a grass verge between junction 12 Newbridge and 13 Kildare on the M7 at around 8.45pm.
This was the first fatal road accident of 2024.
At a previous court hearing Sgt Dave Hanrahan said that the vehicle left the motorway and collided with a bank. It spun around and ended up on its roof. He described the defendant and the deceased as friends.
He alleged the defendant tested positive for cocaine in his system.
The court heard that bail terms were agreed subject to conditions such as the defendant reside at a certain address, keep the peace and sign on at a garda station.
Defending solicitor Matt Byrne said the defendant was badly injured in the accident. He sustained a broken collar bone and spent four days in hospital. Mr Byrne said the others suffered minor injuries.
Sgt Mary Meade told the court that there were four people in the car at the time and the deceased had sustained “catastrophic injuries.”
Asked by Judge Desmond Zaidan if the deceased’s family were being kept informed of the progress of the case, Sgt Mary Meade said that this was being done and the gardaí had also appointed a family liaison officer to the case.
Judge Desmnd Zaidan told the defendant that if an alibi forms any part of his defence he must provide details of this in advance to the prosecution.