Motorist charged with dangerous driving after woman's death in Donegal collision

Stephen Maguire

A man has appeared in court following a two-car collision in which an 87-year-old woman died from her injuries.

Martin Mittmansgruber, with an address in Austria, appeared at Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal charged with dangerous driving.

It follows an incident in which a woman died as a result of a two-car collision which occurred on Sunday morning last.

Mittmansgruber is charged that on August 25th, 2024 at Inver Glebe, Inver, Co Donegal did drive a vehicle in a manner (including speed) which having regard to all the circumstances of the case (including the condition of the vehicle, the nature, condition and use of such place in which it is driven and the amount of traffic which then actually was or might reasonably be expected then to be therein) was dangerous to the public, whereby it caused serious bodily harm to another person, namely Elizabeth Cave.

The charge is Contrary to Section 53 (1) and 53 (2) of the Road Traffic Act, 2011.

The accused man, aged 50 years, did not speak during the brief appearance and was assigned a German interpreter.

Garda Sergeant Oliver Devenney told the court he arrested Mittmansgruber on Wednesday, August 28th at 4.20pm and then charged him at 6.23pm.

When charged, Mittmansgruber replied "I have nothing to add."

Sergeant Devenney added that there was in principle an objection to bail because the accused lives outside the jurisdiction.

However, he added that the state could be led if strict conditions were imposed on the accused if granted bail.

They include that the accused appear in court in person, be of good behaviour and remain contactable by phone and email with gardaí.

A sum of €6,000 was also lodged in court on behalf of the accused with an address at 24A Arnberg, Wartberg, Austria.

The court was also told that other charges are being considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Gerry McGovern, asked the court to adjourn the case until November 6th in Donegal Town.

Judge Ciaran Liddy agreed to the request and signed off on the bail conditions for the accused.

Mittmansgruber's court appearance follows a crash in which a woman was fatally injured.

Elizabeth Cave, an 87-year-old woman from St Ernan’s, Donegal Town, was rushed to Sligo University Hospital for life-saving treatment.

However, she passed away on Wednesday afternoon.