Motorcyclist denies leaving passenger who fell off bike at side of road
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN who allegedly drove the motorcycle from which his unprotected pillion passenger was seriously injured, then rode off and left him, had his case put back until February for hearing after he entered a plea of ‘not guilty’.
Alan Kelly (53), from Ballinkill, Ballickmoyler, Co Laois was appearing in Athy District Court to enter a not guilty plea, as he faces six related charges all stemming from the same incident.
These include dangerous driving, hit and run, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and other lesser charges at Killygenard, Ballylinan, Co Laois on 23 December.
“Judge, on the night in question the defendant was riding his motorcycle, the pillion passenger – a male from Ballylinan - got on voluntarily, but with no protective gear,” said Sergeant Dave Hanrahan.
“The passenger came off, suffering serious injuries, and the defendant allegedly left at speed."
Judge Desmond Zadian asked the sergeant to expand on the injuries suffered by the pillion passenger.
“He had a broken hand, some of his fingernails had to be sewn back on, the skin on his foot was de-gloved from being scraped on the road, and he cracked his skull,” said the sergeant.
“These are very serious charges,” noted the judge, but after defending solicitor Seamus Boyle indicated his client was entering a plea of not guilty, the judge put back hearing the case until 11 February.
