VISCOUNT’S CAR PURSUED

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1937, Page 12

VISCOUNT’S CAR PURSUED

CHARGE OF' MANSLAUGHTER

DUBLIN, October 20

Viscount Gormanston, Premier Viscount of Ireland, of Gormansto.il Castle, co. Meath, was charged at Howth, co., Dublin, to-day with the 'manslaughter of Edward Higgins, 2,7, and Patrick Mooney, 16, both of Dublin.

He was remanded on bail until November 15.

It was alleged that his car struck a motor-cycle on which Higgins and Mooney were riding at Kilbarrack, near Dublin, after the races at Baldoyle on August 28. Mr. D. O’Donovan, who prosecuted, alleged that Lord Gormanston attempted to pass a car in front, went over to his wrong side and struck the motor-cycle.

"Although defendant must have been perfectly aware that he was involved in an accident,” said Mr. O’Donovan, "he drove on. He was overtaken by another car, and when told that he’ had injured two men, he came back.”

Col. Michael Hogan, of the Free State Army, stated that he saw the accident. When the car did not stop, he took its number and followed it in a car driven by Mr. Michael Byrne. Having overtaken the car, they pulled across the road, blocking it.

Col. Hogan stated that he saw that the car was being driven by Lord Gormanston and that there were three people in the front of the vehicle. Later he learned that there were also three in the back. When he was asked if he knew that “he had killed two people,” Lord Gormanston made no reply. A woman in Lord Gormanston s car said: “You are losing your head,” and added: “We had better go back.” Col. Hogan continued: “1 said: ‘Someone has lost his life. You had better go back.’ Lord Gormanston had got out of the car by this time, and he said: ‘lt was your fault.’ I replied: ‘You are not going to get away with it lik,e that.’ ” Lord Gormanston, Col. Hogan added, then turned bis car and drove back to -the scene of the collision.

Cpl. Martin O’Donnell of the Free State Army, said that after hearing a crash he saw a car, with one door swinging open, driven past him in the opposite direction. He took the number and followed it. IL was stated that Higgins died from shock and haemorrhage and that Mooney died shortly after admission to hospital.