The defendant is alleged to have caused the deaths of mum-of-four Ciara McElvanna, as well as father and mother of-three Patrick and Ciera Grimley
An alleged killer driver, accused of causing a four-vehicle car crash which claimed the lives of three people and seriously injured four more, “has no memory” of the tragic accident, a court heard today (Fri).
The grieving family and friends of those killed and injured in the incident on 4 November 2023 filled the public gallery at Newry Crown Court, looking on as 20-year-old Josh McGleenan entered not guilty pleas to each of the eight charges against him.
McGleenan, from Ashveagh in Benburb, is accused of three charges of causing death by dangerous driving, four of causing grievous bodily injury also by dangerous driving and a final charge of dangerous driving.
The defendant is alleged to have caused the deaths of Ciara McElvanna as well as husband and wife Patrick and Ciera Grimley by driving dangerously on the Gosford Road in Markethill.
The charge of simple dangerous driving accuses McGleenan of driving dangerously on roads between Ashveagh, Benburb and the Gosford Road.
The charges arise following a four-vehicle crash in the early hours of 4 November 2023 when nine emergency ambulance crews were deployed to the scene and the injured were taken to Craigavon Area Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Tragically father-of-three Mr Grimley died at the scene while Mrs Grimley and 44-year-old mother-of-four Mrs McElvanna sadly passed away in the days following the RTC.
Her husband, former All-Ireland winning Gaelic footballer Kevin McElvanna was one of those hurt in the crash as the friends made their way home from a 40th birthday party for Mr Grimley.
Previously, defence KC Michael Chambers has told the court that McGleenan “is truly sorry for what occurred.”
“He has asked me to extend on his behalf, and he accepts this may bring little comfort, his heartfelt apologies to all who have been affected by this case,” Mr Chambers has told the court.
Ahead of the arraignment today (Fri), he took several minutes to explain the reasons behind McGleenan’s denials and how the accident occurred.
He told the court and Judge Paul Ramsey KC the circumstances behind it “are a little unusual” in that, according to the papers served by the prosecution, “there appears to have been a collision between the defendant’s vehicles and a taxi.”
The deceased victims had been in that taxi but Mr Chambers said that following that impact, the taxi is struck by a third vehicle “and it appears to have been that collision that caused the deaths of certainly two, if not all three.”
“He has no memory of what occurred,” the senior barrister said, adding that McGleenan “sustained a serious head injury.”
Given that circumstance, “all we have is the prosecution evidence and the prosecution expert report,” so until the defence has obtained their own expert report, they are unable to properly advise McGleenan.
An expert has already been instructed, but their report will not be ready until mid-January, Mr Chambers explained, suggesting that while a provisional trial date could be set for 16 March next year, both he and prosecuting KC Geraldine McCullough will liaise to bring the case for review at a suitable date.
He assured Judge Ramsey and the families that “we will not forget about this case, it will not go into the ether, as it were.”
Following the formal arraignment, the case was formally listed for trial on 16 March and McGleenan was freed on continuing bail, suggesting that the case will likely be reviewed in late January or into February.
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