A 26-YEAR-OLD welder has been remanded in custody after he was charged with a motor offence following a road traffic collision in Cork city at the weekend which claimed the life of a young woman.
Lukasz Lachowski, Edward Court, Edward Street, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, was charged at the vacation sitting of Mallow District Court yesterday with dangerous driving at the junction of Gearneys Boreen and the Commons Road in Cork city on August 24th.
Sgt Seán McCarthy of Watercourse Road Garda station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that Mr Lachowski made no reply to the charge when it was put to him after caution.
Insp Senan Ryan said that gardaí were seeking a remand in custody and would be objecting to bail if it was sought on the grounds that a more serious charge is pending against the accused arising from the fatal road traffic collision.
Sgt McCarthy said that gardaí were objecting to bail on the grounds that Mr Lachowski, who is Polish, had only been living in Kilmallock for just over a year and had no family living in Ireland and no ties with the jurisdiction.
He also pointed out that more serious charges are pending arising out of the accident in which 25-year-old Gillian Drinan from Ballincollig was fatally injured.
Sgt McCarthy said it was his belief that Mr Lachowski would not stand trial if granted bail.
Sgt McCarthy agreed with solicitor for Mr Lachowski, Michael Moloney, that his client had been in constant employment with the same employer in the Kilmallock area since arriving in Ireland over a year ago, but he still expressed concern that he would abscond if granted bail.
Judge Tim Lucey noted that Mr Lachowski had no family or ties here and he felt, on balance, that Mr Lachowski was a flight risk and he remanded him in custody to appear again at the vacation sitting of Cork District Court on Friday morning.
