Technical evidence in the trial of the bus driver accused of dangerous driving causing the deaths of five people in Dublin city centre three years ago has revealed the bus he was driving was well maintained and road worthy.
Garda Adrian Tucker told the jury on day four of the trial of Kenneth Henvey he was satisfied that both buses involved were "generally well maintained and in good road worthy condition with no faults or defects apparent which would have contributed to the likely cause of the collision at Wellington Quay".
He said the bus driven by Mr Henvey "could not have experienced a power surge or unintended acceleration as a result of an electronic or component failure".
Mr Henvey (51) of Whitethorn Crescent, Palmerstown, Dublin has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing the deaths of two men and three women at Wellington Quay on February 21st, 2004.
Garda Tucker, a public service vehicle inspector, told prosecuting counsel he was a automotive engineer and accident investigator of 30 years experience and had carried out technical examinations of both buses involved in the incident.
He said that the foot, hand and emergency brakes on Mr Henvey's bus were found to be in "good service" and "very good working order". The steering mechanism was in "good serviceable condition", the tyres were "in good road worthy condition" and the acceleration, gear engagement and safety systems were "functioning correctly".
The jury earlier heard that a number 66 bus had pulled in some distance from the kerb in front of Mr Henvey's parked bus. A crowd of up to 30 people moved forward to board the 66 bus when Mr Henvey's bus mounted the pavement and drove up the inside of the 66 hitting the people waiting to board it.
Gda Tucker said he had test driven Mr Henvey's bus and found the brakes "responsive". He gave evidence of similar findings in relation to the 66 bus.
Gda Tucker said Mr Henvey's bus had suffered impact damage to the front, left and right sides and the undercarriage as a result of the incident. An onboard computer system that records electronic faults indicated that no faults had arisen in the 50 hours leading up to and including the incident, the coiurt heard.
Eyewitness Angela O'Farrell told the court she saw Mr Henvey get on to the out-of-service bus. She believed he started the engine and said she saw him check over his right shoulder, then look to the front and move off.
Ms O'Farrell was standing at the bus stop where Mr Henvey's bus had been parked and she said she saw the a 66 bus come down the Quays. She heard a loud braking noise and saw Mr Henvey's bus mount the pavement and run over a girl's legs.
Ms O'Farrell said that when Mr Henvey's bus stopped he had his head in his hands. She wanted to ask him if he was all right but realised "it was a bit of a stupid question".
The hearing continues.