Coleraine woman accused of killing motorcyclist

Appearing at Antrim Magistrates Court on Tuesday, dressed all in black, 27-year-old Katriona Kearney was charged with causing the death of Eamon Farrelly by driving carelessly on the Ballymena Road off slip of the M2 motorway on 8 July 2013.

The 42-year-old biker from Belfast died as a result on juries he received in a three vehicle collision involving his motorbike, a lorry and allegedly Kearney’s car at the Dunsilly off-slip on the northbound lane of the motorway.

Today (tues) Kearney, from Westbourne Crescent in Coleraine, confirmed her name and that she understood the single charge against her.

Although no facts of the case were opened before District Judge Alan White, a prosecution lawyer submitted that on the basis of the legal papers, there was a case for Kearney to answer.

As her defence solicitor had no contrary submissions, Judge White said he was satisfied the case should be sent to the Crown Court for trial.

Kearney was told by the court clerk that she had the right to give evidence herself or to call witnesses on her behalf but that anything said would be written down and given in evidence.

The alleged killer driver declined to do either however.

Releasing Kearney on her own bail of £300 and granted legal aid to include one barrister, Judge White ordered to appear before Antrim Crown Court on 7 May for arraignment.

Although her solicitor applied for legal aid to be extended to include a senior QC, the judge refused the application, commenting that “an experienced junior counsel would be more than experienced enough to deal with the issues.”