Lorry driver charged with dangerous driving causing death

A TRUCK driver charged with dangerous driving causing the death of a mother-of-two just a week before Christmas has been remanded in custody for another two weeks.

Romanian national Ion Bucurica (56) appeared before a sitting of Monaghan District Court on Monday in relation to a crash that killed Emma Mackarel (37) on the N2 at Mullaghnee, Annalitten, outside Castleblayney on Thursday, December 18.

Judge Gerry Jones remanded Mr Bucurica, with an address at Avenue Victor Hugo, 33110 Le Bouscat, Bordeaux, France, in custody until January 5 after hearing there would be no application for bail.

However, defence solicitor Roisin Courtney told the court that she was putting the State on notice that an application for bail would be made on January 12.

A special sitting of Monaghan District Court had previously heard how Emma Mackarel, from Latgallan, Clones, Co Monaghan, died in the collision that occurred at about 8am on the N2 at Mullaghnee, Annalitten, outside Castleblayney.

Ms Mackarel, who was the sole occupant of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene and her body was removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by Garda Inspector Damien Martin, who said gardaí were objecting to bail in this case.

He said the allegation was that Mr Bucurica was driving his motor vehicle when he was involved in a collision causing the death of Emma Mackarel.

Ms Courtney described her client as a Romanian man who is currently living in France.

She said her client had been working as a lorry driver, but that she was applying for legal aid due to the seriousness of the charge.

Acceding to the application, Judge Jones extended the aid to cover Romanian translation services.

This was the second fatal traffic collision to occur in Monaghan in less than a week after a male pedestrian, aged in his 60s, was knocked down and killed by a lorry in Monaghan Town on Saturday, December 13.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this latest collision on the N2 to contact them.

Road users who were travelling on the N2 between Castleblayney and Broomfield between 7:30am and 8:15am, and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.