A report on whether a man charged with dangerous driving causing the death of eight people is fit to plead is to be compiled.
Shaun Kelly
A suitable expert has been found to assess Shaun Kelly, 24, who is charged with the offences outside Clonmany, Co Donegal in 2010.
Mr Kelly, of Ballymagann, Buncrana, was the driver of the car in which seven of his friends died and the driver of a coming in the opposite direction was also killed.
Earlier this week Judge Keenan Johnson had told the State he urgently needed to have an expert assigned to Mr Kelly to see if he was fit to plead.
At Letterkenny Circuit Court today State prosecutor Patricia McLaughlin today told Judge Johnson that she had found an expert Dr Mark Mulrooney, a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
The court heard that Dr Mulrooney will examine Mr Kelly on April 26th and make his report after that.
The defence are also having reports compiled on Mr Kelly.
Kelly appeared in court as did several family members of those killed in the crash on July 11th, 2010.
Judge Keenan Johnson said he was very anxious to have the matter dealt with.
“It should be expedited as it is dragging on for far too long,” he said.
The case has ben adjourned on several occasions and both Judge John O’Hagan, the residing judge and Judge Johnson have expressed their disappointment the case has not be dealt with.
The state prosecutor Ms McLaughlin asked to be furnished with the report on Mr Kelly a week before the fitness to plead appearance.
Judge Johnson said he will liaise with Judge O’Hagan to finalise a date for the fitness to plead appearance.
The men who died in the crash on July 11th, 2010 were Hugh Friel (66), Urris, Clonmany, Eamon McDaid (22)of Ballymagan, Buncrana; Mark McLaughlin, (21) of Ballinahone, Fahan; Paul Doherty (19), of Ardagh, Ballyliffin; Ciaran Sweeney (19), of Ballyliffin; PJ McLaughlin (21), of Rockstown, Burnfoot; James McEleney (23), of Meenaduff, Clonmany and Damien McLaughlin (21), of Umricam, Buncrana.