Alleged hit-and-run driver refused bail

The alleged driver of the van that killed a Kildare teenager last Sunday night was refused bail in Athy District Court this morning (12 November) after gardaí raised concerns about his flight risk.

Judge Desmond Zaidan heard how Marin Silaghi (40) with an address in Ballybrittas, Portlaoise, Co Laois was only in the country eight weeks before the accident, and all his immediate family were still in Romania.

Garda Mark Ryan told the court that Mr Silaghi was detected approximately three hours after the impact on the R403 in Blackwood when he was stopped at a random intoxiliser test in Leixlip.

Garda Ryan said that Mr Silaghi had no recollection of hitting a human, and thought the “serious damage” to the front of his van was caused by a stone or a deer.

Mr Silaghi was discovered to be over the legal limit and was arrested at Leixlip Garda Station.

“It was very fortuitous the gardaí had mandated the drink and drugs stop,” noted the judge.

“It appears he wasn’t willing to turn himself in,” said Garda Ryan.

“How long was it before someone realised a human being was on the side of the road?” asked Judge Zaidan.

“Very shortly, another motorist called an ambulance,” said Garda Ryan.

Solicitor Tim Kennelly told the court Mr Silaghi was working with his cousin who has “a very successful construction business” and was living in Ballybrittas with a number of colleagues.

However, despite the offer of a €10,000 surety to guarantee his stay, Garda Ryan did not believe this to be sufficient, and Judge Zaidan agreed.

He then remanded Silaghi into custody until next Tuesday (19 November), to appear by videolink in Naas District Court.