Accused man and friend were 'racing' in their cars before double fatal collision, court hears

David Raleigh

A motorist and a cyclist were killed outright as the motorist and a friend were “racing” one another in their cars in Limerick City, a court heard Tuesday.

Patrick O’Reilly, (17), Castletroy, Limerick, died when his car struck a tree and cyclist Saad Al Werfally, (36), a native of Libya.

Mr Werfally also died in the impact at Hyde Road, Limerick City, in the early hours of Friday, June 26, 2020, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard.

William Faulkner, (24), of Caherdavin Heights, Limerick, who was a friend of Patrick O’Reilly at the time, went on trial on Tuesday accused of dangerous driving and endangerment leading up to the double fatal collision.

In his opening address, prosecuting barrister, John O’Sullivan, instructed by State Solicitor for Limerick City, Padraig Mawe, said Mr Faulkner was not accused of causing the deaths of Patrick O’Reilly and Mr Al Werfally.

Mr O’Sullivan said the prosecution’s case is that Mr Faulkner is guilty of dangerous driving, and endangerment, in that he allegedly drove his car in a manner that was intentionally reckless, including with speed, which created a substantial risk of death or serious injury to other road users.

Mr Faulkner has pleaded “not guilty” to the two charges against him.

Judge Colin Daly told the jury sworn in for the trial, that Mr Faulkner is presumed innocent until proven otherwise, and that it is up to the prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mr O’Sullivan said the prosecution’s case is that Mr Faulkner, who was 18 at the time, and Patrick O’Reilly who was 17, were driving two Volkswagen Passat vehicles and they met up in the Southill area of Limerick City around midnight.

Mr O’Sullivan said it would be alleged that Mr Faulkner and Patrick O’Reilly were “racing” one another in their cars as they “drove in convoy” together towards the Hyde Road, situated on the south side of Limerick City.

“It is alleged by the prosecution that William Faulkner was driving too fast at Hyde Road, a heavily built up area, on the night,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The prosecution barrister said it would be alleged that Patrick O’Reilly’s car “went to overtake” Mr Faulkner’s car and that “Patrick O’Reilly lost control of his car, mounted a footpath or kerb and struck and collided with a man who had been cycling”.

“Patrick O’Reilly struck and killed Mr Werfally. Patrick O’Reilly struck a tree, his car effectively wrapped itself around the tree, resulting in the death of Mr Werfally,” the prosecuting barrister said.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Faulkner’s car did not make any contact with Patrick O’Reilly’s car or Mr Werfally on the night.

“Very tragically, two men were killed, the cyclist and the youth, Patrick O’Reilly,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The prosecution barrister said “important” CCTV footage would be played in court to show the “tragic events” unfolding.

The trial, which is being heard by a jury of seven men and five women, continues Wednesday.