A man who has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of GAA commentator, Paudie Palmer, allegedly told friends that he had consumed alcohol and left the scene of an accident, his trial has heard.
Mr Palmer, who was a 65-year-old broadcaster with C103/96FM and a columnist with the Echo in Cork, died on January 8th, 2023 at Cork University Hospital.
He passed away following a collision which occurred at Dunkereen Crossroads, near Innishannon in Co Cork on December 29th, 2022.
Bohdan Bezverkhyi of Rigsdale House, Rigsdale, Ballinhassig, Co Cork has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Palmer at Dunkereen Cross in Innishannon on December 29th, 2022.
The 33-year-old Ukrainian man pleaded guilty to other charges relating to the same incident including that he failed to report the incident to gardaí, failed to offer assistance to the injured person, failed to stop and that he left the scene of the crash.
Mr Bezverkhyi also pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving in a separate incident in Curraheen in Co Cork on December 28th, 2022.
Prosecution Barrister Brendan Kelly gave an outline of the evidence to the jury of seven men and five women at the Central Criminal Court in Cork today. He emphasised that his outline was not evidence in itself.
He said that he expects that the evidence that will be given is that the accused went to Crossbarry petrol station at around 7.30am on December 29th, 2022 in a grey BMW 5 series car.
“He appeared to have a flat tyre. He stayed there for several hours. He changed his tyre and left between 9 and 10am. He went to Dunkereeen Cross at Innishannon a short distance away.
“Colette Crowley was at home at 9.45am and she heard a revving car followed by a loud bang.
A red Peugeot car driven by Mr Palmer was against the embankment. She went to to his assistance.
Gardaí attended at the scene and he (Paudie Palmer) was brought to Cork University Hospital. He died on January 8th, 2023.
Dr Margaret Bolster, pathologist, reported on January 9th that death was due to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and thoracic injuries due to a road traffic collision.”
Mr Kelly said Mr Bezverkhyi was subsequently arrested.
Both vehicles involved in the accident were examined by Garda collision experts. They found that the grey BMW, driven by the accused, was fitted with a space saver tyre.
Mr Kelly said that Mr Bezverkhyi had an unrestricted view of around 150 metres as he approached the crossroads where the accident occurred. He said that the evidence would be that Mr Bezverkhyi approached the junction from a minor road coming from the west.
Mr Kelly said that it would be the case of the State that Mr Palmer had the right of way as he was travelling from a Main Road and that the road the accused was on on had a stop line and stop sign.
Mr Kelly said that Mr Bezverkhyi had admitted his involvement in the crash in a Garda interview.
“He admitted to gardaí to having left the scene — that he effectively panicked.”
He said that the mobile phone of Mr Bezverkhyi was subsequently seized and examined. Mr Kelly said that the evidence would be that the Ukrainian man — speaking in Russian — admitted to friends that he had consumed alcohol at the time and left the scene of the crash.
The case, which is being presided over by Judge Colin Daly will continue next Tuesday. The accused is being assisted in court by an interpreter who speaks Russian.
Meanwhile, Mr Palmer who was also a retired school teacher, is survived by his wife Colette, his daughters Claire and Emily, his brothers Denis, Richie and John, his grandson Lucas Pádraig his extended family, former colleagues at St Brogan's College in Bandon and a wide circle of friends.
The native of Kenmare in Co Kerry was the uncle of Claudine Keane, who is the wife of former Ireland International Robbie Keane. He lived in Innishannon in Co Cork.
Mr Keane was very well known and respected in sporting circles. Attendees at his funeral mass included GAA stars Sean Og O'hAilpin and Alan Quirke and Munster GAA Council PRO Bob Ryan.
