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DPP drops one driving charge against Halvey

Kevin Walsh - Died in collision
Kevin Walsh - Died in collision

The family of a boy killed in a car crash in 2006 have said they are shocked by the DPP's decision to drop a charge of dangerous driving causing death against the driver of the other car.

16-year-old Kevin Walsh from Bruff, Co Limerick, was the back seat passenger in a car which was in collision with a 4x4 jeep in the early hours of 1 April 2006.

He was in the car with his two uncles, who had stopped on the road when they spotted some cattle when the collision occurred. He died at the scene.

The driver of the other car, Eddie Halvey of Allendale Court, South Circular Road in Limerick, was charged with dangerous driving causing death.

The 36-year-old former Munster and Ireland International rugby player had appeared at the Circuit Criminal Court in Nenagh on a number of occasions as the book of evidence was being prepared.

He was due to go on trial at the beginning of March and the court was told he would be contesting the charge.

However this week the Walsh family were informed that the DPP had decided to drop the charge of dangerous driving causing death against Mr Halvey, without explanation.

Mr Halvey still faces proceedings in the district court on a charge of drink driving arising from the same incident.

Vincent and Declan Tierney, uncles of the dead teenager who were in the car with him the night of the crash, said the family were absolutely devastated by the DPP's decision.

They have since written to the DPP asking him to outline the reason for his decision, and have appealing to him to reverse the decision.