RTÉ News has learned that the stolen sports car which crashed into a patrol car last Sunday morning killing two Gardaí was travelling at a speed of 120 miles an hour.
Detectives are set to seek a direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions that the two teenagers in the car should be charged with manslaughter. They expect to be able to question the 15-year-old passenger tomorrow, while the 16-year-old will be interviewed later in the week.
Manslaughter is an act of recklessness resulting in someone's death. Evidence available at this stage indicates that this was much more than a case of dangerous driving causing death.
An initial forensic examination of the scene indicated that the car ploughed into the side of the squad car at a speed of 120 miles an hour. The two Gardaí were killed instantly by the car which was out of control. One of the tyre marks on the road caused by the teenager trying to break was just seven feet away. This indicates that they did not see the squad car until it was too late and had no time to swerve or stop.
Meanwhile, a prayer service for Garda Michael Padden was held at the Garda church of St Paul at Mount Argus in Dublin this morning. The President, the Taoiseach, the Fine Gael leader, senior Gardai and hundreds of members of the force paid their respects to the 27-year-old Garda.
The remains of Garda Padden have arrived in his hometown of Belmullet, County Mayo. The cortege was escorted through the town by senior Gardai and flanked by a guard of honour provided by members of the local GAA club.
The Garda was a well-known footballer and a prominent member of the club. Hundreds of local people lined the route of the cortege and flags at the town square and shops and offices flew at half mast.
Garda Padden's remains will be waked overnight at the family home and his remains will be taken to the Church of Our Lady of Dolours tomorrow evening. Burial will be after requiem mass on Thursday.
The body of 53-year-old Garda Tony Tighe will be removed to the church of St Paul at Mount Argus this evening. He will be buried at Newlands Cemetery after 11am mass tomorrow morning.
