Westmeath man (21) pleads guilty to careless driving causing death of Mayo man

A WESTMEATH man has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of a Mayo man in a traffic collision close to Swinford in July 2023.

Dean Harte (21) of Mullingar Road, Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of Ciarán Keating and causing serious bodily harm to his wife Ann Marie Keating in a traffic collision along the N5 at Ballymiles, Swinford on July 15, 2023.

Ciarán Keating (57) from Kilsallagh, Westport, a brother of former Boyzone singer, Ronan Keating, was driving the car when the impact occurred at around 3.35pm. He suffered multiple injuries, including multiple rib fractures and laceration of the lungs and liver, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Keating and his wife Ann Marie were travelling to Sligo to watch their son Ruairi play for Cork City against Sligo Rovers in a League of Ireland game.

Mr Harte also pleaded guilty to driving with a tyre which was below the legal tread depth.

His barrister, Mr John Shortt, senior counsel, asked Judge Eoin Garavan to adjourn sentencing until next February to allow time for the preparation of a probation report and to extend legal aid for a medical cert from his GP. Mr Shortt added that his client has no previous convictions.

Mr Pat Reynolds, counsel for the prosecution said that the State had no objections to sentencing being adjourned.

Judge Garavan remanded Mr Harte on continuing bail and adjourned sentencing until February 19, 2025 for the preparation of a probation report for sentencing and also extended legal aid for the production of a medical cert.