The situation was that a Lorry & Trailer measuring 59'6" travelling from Carrick-On-Suir had moved over on to its incorrect side of the road to enter a narrow by road on its left hand side and in doing so it blocked the main Dungarvan to Carrick-On-Suir Road. It was in the hours of darkness and it was stated in Garda Evidence that the lorry had no middle or rear side lighting.
But they failed to prove this in Court as they could not produce
Photos of the Crash Scene.No valid reason was ever given to the family why crash scene photo evidence was not produced in court.
A Nightmare situation for any Road user to arrive at a scene shown above during the hours of Darkness with the road blocked and no lights on the vehicle that
blocked the road.
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Instead of the road been closed off and perserved for a Fatal Crash Scene Investigation it was instantly cleared. All that was available for evidence was a few measurements that were changing by the minute. The Lorry was moved off the main road to a side road' where a brief statement was taken from lorry driver Stephen Kelly.
Records show he changed part of the statement three days later when he was asked to go to Tramore Garda Station to sign it.
Garda Vehicle Inspector Sgt. Joe Robinson arrived at the crash scene and examined the lorry where it was parked up on the side road. He decided to have the lorry impounded and it was taken to The Bus Eireann Depot in Waterford where he had a facility to examine Vehicles. Grahams Mum & Dad went to the scene of the crash to view matters for them selves at 1.30 pm that day but there was no one around and nothing to see only broken glass and two brake marks from Grahams car that were clearly visible and on the correct side of the road in the direction he was travelling.
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The Air Bag was not activated on the car as there was
no guard rail fitted on the lorry as required by Law. As a result
the car went under the side of the Lorry.
No Photos were taken of the crash scene by the Gardai ?
The above Photo of Grahams car was taken while
it was in Garda Custody.
Liam Norris went to Waterford arriving at the Mortuary at 2.35pm to see son Graham and to identify him. He was met at the doorway by Sgt. J. McKnight who produced a document attached to a clipboard for him to sign after which he disappeared. The Pathologist who was doing the Autopsy on Graham was waiting to get started and informed he was in a hurry as he had another to do in Kilkenny. This was all very dramatic stuff as every one was rushing and no one gave any thought or assistance to the family. Liam asked for time for the family to arrive but he believed he was been harassed and only when he created a scene did things slow down.
He was told that Grahams Coffin would be closed after the Autopsy and that created a terrible situation. In the end after argument everything was postponed to the following day so the family had some time with Graham. The pressure the family had to endure on that day was horrendous and it clearly was not acceptable'
it still haunts all the family.
Grahams Dad has not been able to return to continue his career due to shock and the stress of his sons loss. His Mum has serious stress problems and cannot sleep properly since. She passes time by buying as many newspapers as possible on a daily basis so that she has something to read during the night.
What really shocked her was that no one contacted a Priest to go to the scene and attend to Graham that morning' it was only months later this came to light when Fr.Delaney came to visit and
confirmed he was contacted after 9.am and
asked to contact the family with the news.
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Gary spent 3 months in hospital with stress related problems and is not able to return to his career. |
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Victor is married with two young sons and his life since has been very difficult. He now lives with the sorrow of not having taken time out to spend with Graham as he was always too busy with his work |
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