Garda accused of endangering life over crash that killed three gang members sent forward for trial

Dean Maguire, 29, Karl Freeman, 26, and Graham Taylor, 31, died instantly when a BMW car burst into flames following a head-on crash with a truck between Citywest and Baldonnel on July 7, 2021, while they were driving on the wrong side of the N7 fleeing gardaí.

Garda John Francis Ryan, of Tallaght station, is accused of endangerment of life.

He was first summonsed to Dublin District Court in June last year, and the matter was adjourned to October when the court ordered the prosecution to hand over relevant material, including video footage.

Three further adjournments followed that hearing.

Judge Michele Finan learned “the DPP directed summary disposal on a guilty plea” in the district court. Otherwise, it would go to the circuit court, which, on conviction, has broader sentencing powers.

“The position is that a book of evidence is required,” a prosecutor told the court, because the accused is contesting the case.

On Wednesday, the prosecution served the officer with a book of evidence.

Judge Finan then granted a return for trial order, sending him forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed on July 18.

The charge, under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Persons Act, alleges he drove westwards on the eastwards auxiliary lane between Rathcoole and Citywest in a reckless manner, which posed a substantial risk of death or serious injury to a member of the public.

At his first hearing on June 28 last year, his solicitor sought disclosure of prosecution evidence “with any CCTV footage”. A Gsoc officer said there would be compliance.

The court has also ordered the media not to publish the garda’s address.

A coroner’s inquest into the three men’s deaths has already been opened but adjourned pending the outcome of the judicial process.