Man charged with manslaughter over road traffic collision fatality in Clonmany

A 37-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a man in a road traffic incident in Clonmany. 

Kevin Grant of 21 Parkmore, Buncrana, was brought to Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, December 20. A charge under the Non-Fatal Offences the Person Act was withdrawn, and Sergeant Killian Callaghan formally charged Grant with manslaughter contrary to Common Law.

It is alleged that Grant did unlawfully kill James Devine at Main Street, Clonmany on May 12, 2024. 

Sergeant Callaghan told the court that the defendant made no reply to the charge. 

Grant faces a number of other charges for alleged offences in relation to the incident.

Inspector Anthony Coyle told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) consented to Grant being sent forward on indictment to the circuit court on one count of manslaughter, three breaches of obligations following a road traffic collision, two counts of dangerous driving, and one count each of refusal or failure to give a blood or urine sample, driving without insurance, failure to produce insurance, failing to state whether using a vehicle at a given times, and driving without a licence.

Grant, who was represented in court by solicitor Frank Dorrian, was granted bail.

However, he has been remanded in custody until all bail conditions can be met. 

Judge Sandra Murphy imposed the following bail conditions: the defendant’s own bond of €5,000 of which €3,000 is to be lodged; independent surety of €5,000 of which €3,000 is to be lodged; that he not commit any offence and be of good behaviour; reside at given addresses in Donegal and Wicklow; sign on as per arrangements at agreed garda stations in Donegal and Wicklow; observe a curfew between the hours of 10pm ard 5am, and be available to gardaí calling at the addresses between those hours; have no contact in any way including social media and fake social media accounts with any persons connected to the case; surrender his passport within 24 hours and do no apply for a new one. 

An independent surety was approved, and their €3,000 lodged with the court. 

The defendant was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear before a special sitting of Glenties District Court on Monday, December 23.