Man charged with dangerous driving causing death of Mayo GP

A MAN appeared before a Mayo court charged with dangerous driving causing the death of a GP in Ballinrobe last year.

Roman Klapper of 1A Pearce Terrace, Westport appeared before Castlebar District Court where he was served with the book of evidence and sent forward for trial to Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court on February 9, 2026.

The defendant is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Dr Martin Finnerty (69) of The Demense, The Neale Road, Ballinrobe who died on December 12, 2024 after he was struck by a vehicle while walking along Church Lane, Ballinrobe at approximately 6.30pm.

Garda James O'Reilly gave evidence before Judge Sandra Murphy that he met Mr Klapper before the court and served him with the book of evidence.

Court presenter, Sergeant Conor McShane applied to the court to remand Mr Klapper on bail to be returned for trial to the next sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court on February 9, 2026.

Judge Murphy issued Mr Klapper with the alibi warning before consenting to sending him forward for trial charged with dangerous driving causing death. She remanded him on bail with conditions including surrounding his passport. 

Mr Dermot Morahan, solicitor for the defendant said his client is a Polish national and applied for legal aid for one senior and one junior counsel.

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Judge Murphy acknowledged the charge was very serious and granted legal aid to Mr Morahan for one senior and one junior counsel. The court was informed that Mr Klapper is also charged with a separate offence arising from the same incident which will be dealt in the district court and this matter was adjourned to Castlebar District Court on March 4 next.  

A native of Athenry, Dr Finnerty had lived in Ballinrobe for almost 40 years where he was a GP and well regarded in the south Mayo community.

A post mortem found that Dr Finnerty sustained multiple injuries including fractured ribs, fracture to the right leg, a severed thoracic vertebra, and bleeding to the abdomen due to a lacerated liver.

The cause of death he said was as a result of multiple injuries due to a road traffic collision and confirmed that death would have been immediate.