Keith Lee (18) of Park View Drive, Poppintree Park in Dublin 11, appeared before a sitting of Blanchardstown District Court, charged with dangerous driving causing death at Ratoath Road in Finglas on Sunday
Keith Lee has been charged with dangerous driving causing death of Grace Lynch in Finglas on Sunday afternoon
A teenager admits he was “caught red-handed” after driving a vehicle causing the death of Grace Lynch in Finglas, a court has heard.
Keith Lee (18) of Park View Drive, Poppintree Park in Dublin 11, appeared before a sitting of Blanchardstown District Court on Tuesday, charged with dangerous driving causing death at Ratoath Road in Finglas on Sunday, January 25.
He is accused of driving a vehicle in a manner, including speed, that caused the death of Grace Lynch that day. The offence is contrary to two sections of the Road Traffic Act and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment on conviction.
A bail hearing ultimately heard that Mr Lee accepted evidence given in court that he was “caught red handed” and that he made “full admissions” to causing the crash and did not want to cause Grace’s family any further distress.
Grace Lynch.
Garda Thomas McDaniel gave evidence before the court of arrest, charge and caution – telling presiding Judge Aine Clancy that the accused made “no reply” when charged in the station.
The Garda told the court he was objecting to bail, citing the seriousness of the charge and the likely sentence – which carries a maximum term of 10 years’ imprisonment on conviction. He told the court that gardai and emergency services arrived at the scene on the Ratoath Road in Finglas at 2.20pm on Sunday. He said that Grace was discovered injured on the road, was treated at the scene and removed to hospital, where she was subsequently declared dead.
The Garda stated in court that a motorbike was located at the scene and that the evidence in the case is “extremely strong” and the accused was “caught red handed.” Mr Lee, he said, was cautioned at the scene and admitted to being the driver of the vehicle that collided with Grace – who was at the time crossing the road – when the lights for vehicles were red.
The Garda said that officers had obtained clear CCTV which showed the entire incident. He told the court that it showed that Grace was attempting to cross at the pedestrian lights when a bike went through the red lights. A second bike, travelling at a suspected speed of not below 85km/ph, then struck Grace “at speed”, the court heard.
The Garda told the court that given the nature of the incident, a custodial sentence was likely in this case. The court heard that Mr Lee was arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and in interview, admitted to being the person driving the bike.
Solicitor for Mr Lee, Wayne Kenny, told the court that he did not want “empathy” and said his client was caught red-handed, as the Garda had outlined. The Garda agreed with the solicitor, however, that Mr Lee had no previous convictions, no history of bench warrants and had no previous matters before the courts.
He said his client was caught red-handed and “made full admissions” and was “fully cooperative with the investigation and didn’t want to conceal anything.” He further admitted to being the driver seen in the CCTV and was “full and frank” in his admissions, Mr Lee’s solicitor told the court. “He showed remorse for the incident,” and maintains that his vehicle shouldn’t have been on the road and that “ultimately, it was an accident.”
Emergency services at the scene of the accident near the Ratoath Road in Finglas
He further told the court that his client suffers from ADHD and received medication for it during his detention. He also said his client, whose mother was in court, works part-time and is on disability allowance.
In applying for bail, he told the court that there was “nothing realistically” to suggest that Mr Lee would not show up for further court appearances. He said that although the “evidence was overwhelming” against his client, that this should in no way be held against him in applying for bail.
Mr Lee, he said, was aware that making admissions was the right thing to do and he didn’t want “to put the family through any unnecessary grief,” he added.
Judge Clancy said that it should “go without saying” that this was a matter of the “utmost seriousness” given the sudden loss of life. She stated that the nature and strength of the evidence had been indicated by Gda McDaniel – but said that people have the presumption of innocence.
She said she was noting the accused’s history of no bench warrants and that he had nothing pending – as well as the fact that he had made admissions. The Judge therefore granted bail on the condition that the accused lodge his own bond of €2,500, with a €1,000 independent surety.
The Judge also stated that the accused must not drive any mechanically propelled vehicle of any sort – legal or illegal – and that he surrender his passport, provide a mobile number to gardai, and sign on at Ballymun Garda Station three days a week. He must also remain of good behaviour, the court heard.
The court heard the next hearing in this case will be on May 1.
Grace Lynch (16) was struck down by a scrambler while crossing the Ratoath Road in Finglas on Sunday afternoon. She received catastrophic injuries in the horror collision and was later declared dead in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.
(Image: collinsphotos.com)
Grace’s heartbroken mother Siobhan previously shared with the Irish Mirror a picture of her – as she spoke of her utter devastation and paid tribute to her daughter.
“We are devastated,” she said. “She was 16. She was a beautiful girl – funny, a great daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a niece, a cousin, a friend. My baby girl.”
“Myself and her father Martin, sisters Shauna and Brooke and baby brother Jude will never forget that beautiful smile and the way she had of just being Grace,” she said. “Watching my baby take her last breath was the most heart-breaking thing any parent should watch.”
The incident occurred along the Ratoath Road between Scribblestown and Dunsink at around 2.20pm on Sunday afternoon. Locals have stated that Grace was on her way to meet her boyfriend and was crossing the road when she was struck down.
Grace Lynch’s mother Siobha leads a march pictured this evening during a vigil and walk in memory of 16 year old Grace Lynch. (Image: Collins )
Several tributes have since poured out for Grace, including from her local school – St Michael’s Holy Faith Secondary School in Finglas. In a statement, school Principal Marie Doyle said: “We have learned of the death of one of our students, Grace Lynch. This is a terrible tragedy for her family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by her passing. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Grace’s family and friends.
“Grace was a 5th year pupil and was a lovely, bright, kind girl. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in efforts to assist our students at this time. Our teachers have been helping students to deal with this very sad event.”
