A 20 year old man was before a special sitting of Ennis District Court this afternoon on a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of Eugene McNamara at Lifford, Gort Road, Ennis on October 26 of last year.
He also faces a charge of unlawfully taking a vehicle at Lake Villa, Gort Road, Ennis on the same day.
The defendant, Rene Miko, is a 20 year old man originally from Slovakia and now with an address at Place de Plouzane, Kilrush.
Judge Gráinne O’Neill agreed to grant bail subject to several conditions. These included that the defendant reside at his address in Kilrush, sign on at the local Garda station daily and that an independent surety of €6,000 be provided, with €2,000 to be lodged. Alternatively, she said two sureties of €3,000 each could be provided, with a total of €2,000 still to be lodged. A separate bond was required from the defendant and he was also required not to apply for a passport.
He was remanded in custody with consent to bail until next Wednesday.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said that the preparation of the book of evidence is commencing and he expects progress to be made in the coming weeks.
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.