Irish Taxi Forum
Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: watty on March 05, 2026, 02:42:27 pm
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Taxi driver killed on M4 was over eight times above drink driving limit, inquest hears (https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/taxi-driver-killed-on-m4-was-over-eight-times-above-drink-driving-limit-inquest-hears-1871602.html)
A taxi driver killed in a collision on the M4 near Kilcock, Co Kildare, two years ago was over eight times above the legal drink driving limit, an inquest has heard. Aidan O’Brien (49) from Ballynanum, Edenderry, Co Offaly, suffered fatal injuries in the crash on the westbound carriageway of the M4 just near Junction 8 shortly before midnight on March 13th, 2024. A sitting of Kildare Coroner’s Court heard the white 151-D reg Toyota Prius being driven by O’Brien crashed into a motorway barrier between the off-ramp for Kilcock and the hard shoulder at 11.26pm.
... A public service vehicle inspector, Garda James Keating, told the hearing that although his examination of the taxi was considerably hampered by the extensive damage caused to the vehicle, he did not think anything contributed to the accident “other than driver error.” However, Garda Keating said there was an anomaly with the front tyre on the passenger side of the vehicle as it had slightly shorter height and sidewall measurements. The inspector said the mismatch of tyres could cause serious instability to the vehicle which might be considered dangerously defective under Section 54 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. In reply to questions from the coroner, Loretta Nolan, the witness agreed that the vehicle would be unlikely to pass a NCT test in such a condition. However, Garda Keating accepted that the smaller tyre could be considered a “reasonable temporary measure” which might have been fitted in error. He also found no mechanical defects with the 211-KK reg Volkswagen Caddy which also suffered significant damage to the front of the vehicle.
... Garda Connolly outlined how he also recovered two mobile phones and a bottle of Jägermeister from the vehicle.
... Dr Nolan said the results of a postmortem showed a blood alcohol concentration of 406mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit for fully licensed motorists is 50mg. The coroner said it was one of the highest readings she had seen in recent years. At that level of alcohol, Dr Nolan said O’Brien was at risk of losing consciousness and dying from the effect of alcohol on its own. She said a toxicology test on the deceased’s urine had provided an even higher reading.
... The coroner attributed the cause of death to multiple traumatic injuries due to a road traffic collision as a result of acute ethanol intoxication. Returning a verdict of death by misadventure, Dr Nolan said it was possible that O’Brien was already unconscious at the time of both impacts with his vehicle. The coroner offered her condolences to the driver’s family and noted it was “a very difficult way to lose a life.”
Be careful out there. You're in a potentially lethal machine and if something goes wrong, it could be very, very bad!