Man charged over deaths

A 25-year-old man was charged yesterday in connection with the deaths of two French pedestrians in west Dublin on Wednesday.

A 25-year-old man was charged yesterday in connection with the deaths of two French pedestrians in west Dublin on Wednesday.

John Cash, with an address at Sundale in Tallaght, was charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death at Kilmainham District Court in Dublin.

He was also charged with refusing to give a urine sample after his arrest.

Martine Talon and Martine Liotard, both 53, died when they were struck by a car on the Kylemore Road in Ballyfermot shortly before 11pm on Wednesday.

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Yesterday, the court heard that Mr Cash gave a false name when he was arrested and a number of different addresses. He made no reply when cautioned. Gardaí objected to bail on the grounds there was a possibility Mr Cash might reoffend, but Judge Patrick McMahon remanded him in custody with consent to bail under a number of conditions.

Mr Cash must reside at his sister's home in Sundale Green, Tallaght, and must pay €20,000 cash himself and an independent surety of €30,000. He has also been asked to sign on twice daily at Tallaght Garda station.

Gardaí asked that Mr Cash surrender his passport, but the court was told he did not possess one.

Mr Cash did not speak in court and he will appear again in Cloverhill District Court at 10.30am on Tuesday.

Ms Talon and Ms Liotard were part of a 57-strong group of work colleagues that were staying at the Best Western-Sheldon Park Hotel on the Naas Road.

They were both from the La Drôme area in the southeast of France, near Lyon. They had arrived in Ireland from France on Wednesday and decided to go for a walk with another of their group after checking in at the hotel earlier that day.

It is believed that they were walking on the footpath when a car travelling in the direction of Ballyfermot crashed into them. The third woman, who was slightly ahead of the others on the footpath, escaped injury.

Mr Cash was arrested at the scene and breathalysed.