FAMILIES of the eight
Inishowen men who died in the State's worst car
crash face bills of over €10,000 for Garda reports
they requested at the recent inquest into the
tragedy.
The accident at Glasmullen, between Buncrana and
Clonmany, in July 2010 resulted in the deaths of
Hugh Friel, 66, Urris, Clonmany and friends Eamon
McDaid, 22, Ballymagan, Buncrana; Mark McLaughlin,
21, Ballinahone, Fahan; Paul Doherty, 19, Ardagh,
Ballyliffin; Ciaran Sweeney, 19, Ballyliffin; PJ
McLaughlin, 21, Rockstown, Burnfoot; James McEleney,
23, Meenaduff, Clonmany; and Damien McLaughlin, 21,
Umricam, Buncrana.
Shaun Kelly (27) of Ballymagan, Buncrana, is serving
a four-year sentence for dangerous driving causing
the deaths.
The bereaved families asked for copies of Garda
documents including hundreds of witness statements
and photographs, at last month's inquest.
However, the 'Irish Times' reports today that they
could each be charged more than €10,000 to receive
the requested copies.
The 'Irish Times' states that in 2014, relatives of
road accident victims were charged €778,000 for
Garda crash reports - an increase of almost €70,000
on the previous year.
Public Against Road Carnage (PARC) has been lobbying
for the abolition of these fees since 2009. |
