BREAKING: JJ Kavanagh bus driver found guilty of dangerous driving causing death of teens on e-scooter
The scene of the incident, on June 27, 2024. Photo: Joe Evans
Bus driver Adrian Doyle has been found guilty by a jury of dangerous driving causing death.
The incident occurred on the Cork Road at approximately 2am on June 27, 2024.
Gilbert Collins, age 15, and Avuzwa Sampo, age 17, were both riding on a single e-scooter on the road that morning, when a JJ Kavanagh & Sons bus driven by Adrian Doyle (43) of Ard Glas, Ferrybank, collided with them from behind, killing them both.
Doyle was driving 77km/h in a 50km/h zone.
The emotionally charged jury trial featured a significant amount of CCTV footage, including dashcam footage from the bus which showed the moment of the collision. The footage elicited a strong reaction of distress from family members of the deceased when played in the court room.
The footage showed the two boys veer to the centre of the road, before an immediate shattering of the bus’s front windscreen upon impact.
The jury of nine men and three women delivered a guilty verdict this morning.
Judge Eugene O'Kelly said he is conscious that the dashcam footage was particularly graphic and may have had a traumatic effect. Therefore, he excused the 12 jurors from serving jury duty for life.
Adrian Doyle will now be remanded on bail until January 13. A sentencing date will be fixed thereafter.
Judge O'Kelly directed the procurement of a victim impact statement.
Full coverage available in the today's edition of the Waterford News & Star
