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Man charged over five-death crash 16.04.08

A DERRY man appeared in court yesterday charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of five young people in a horrific two-car collision at Quigley's Point in 2005.
Brendan Henderson, aged 49, of 16 Seven Oaks, Waterside, Derry, was charged with causing the deaths of Gavin Duffy, 21, his cousin Darren Quinn, 21, David Steele, 23, Rochelle Peoples, 22 and Charlene O'Connor, 21. All five friends were travelling together in a Peugeot 205 when the crash happened in the early hours of October 8, 2005, at Cross, Quigley's Point.

Brendan Henderson being helped into a car after the hearing. His solicitor Maoliosa Barr is in the background.

Defence solicitor Mr. Maoliosa Barr said his client, who arrived in court in a wheelchair, would be pleading not guilty to the charge.
Buncrana Garda Supt. Jimmy Coen applied for an adjournment of the case until May when the book of evidence would be served. Mr. Barr said his client, a married man, had no objections to the adjournment.
Judge Desmond Zaidan asked the prosecution why there was such a long delay in bringing the case. Supt. Coen said the accident was the subject of a "comprehensive investigation" adding that the delay was also caused by the fact the accused had suffered serious injuries

in the accident and "was hospitalised for a significant period of time".
This was confirmed by Mr. Barr who said his client had spent nine months in hospital, both at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry and Musgrave Hospital in Belfast following the accident.

Judge Zaidan also questioned why there was only one charge being brought by the DPP to reflect the deaths of the five alleged victims. He said it might be "more appropriate" if five separate charges reflecting the five alleged victims were brought because in law, each charge could be tried separately. However, Judge Zaidan said this was a matter for the

The parents of Rochelle Peoples outside Carn court following the brief hearing.

Gardai and the DPP.
The accused who is now unemployed and living on Disability Living Allowance, was granted free legal aid.
Judge Zaidan adjourned the case to Buncrana District Court on May 20, 2008. He told Mr. Barr to address him that day in relation to how many defence counsel would be required and he told Supt. Coen to address him on the issue of bail.
Supt. Coen said the defendant had so far made himself amenable to the courts and he was satisfied he would continue to do so.

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