61-year-old man found not guilty of dangerous driving causing death of three-year-old boy

A 61-year-old man has been found NOT GUILTY of dangerous driving causing the death of a three-year-old boy.
Alex McDaid of Bomany, Letterkenny had denied a charge of dangerous driving causing death, but he had admitted not having a valid driving licence at the time.
The jury of six men and six women at Letterkenny Circuit Court took just under an hour to reach their not guilty verdict.
Judge John O’Hagan said the case was a very emotional one which involved sorrow, outrage and sadness.
He also said the incident was a parent’s worst nightmare, which had unfolded in front of Patrick’s father.
Mr McDaid was fined €100 for not having a driving licence at the time of the accident.
His barrister said that Mr McDaid has not driven any vehicle since the accident and did not maintain his job as a bin lorry driver because the accident had had such a profound effect on him.
He said that Mr McDaid “lives with this every day of his life”.