A 25-YEAR-OLD motorcyclist accused of causing the deaths of three people in a road accident faces a new trial, writes Paddy Clancy.
A jury yesterday told Donegal Circuit Court it had failed to reach a verdict after four hours and 25 minutes of deliberation at the end of six days in the trial of Niall McGrath. It told Judge Raymond Fullam there was no prospect of their reaching a majority verdict.
The case was adjourned to the next sitting of the Circuit Court in Donegal town on December 16th and Mr McGrath was remanded on continuing bail. Earlier he was acquitted of one of the four charges, reckless endangerment.
The prosecution alleged the accused drove his Suzuki motorbike dangerously and caused the deaths of carpenter Damien Quigg, his wife Teresa, and Nora McGee (74). Mr McGrath, Grahamstown, Ballintra, pleaded not guilty to committing the offences on the N15 at Ballinacarrick, Ballintra, on September 11th, 2005.