Driver pulled handbrake before fatal impact

Date Published: 18-May-2008

An inquest into the deaths of two people killed in a head-on collision on the Quincentenary Bridge last December found that the driver of one car in the accident had pulled suddenly on his handbrake while speeding across the bridge.

Both Frank Broderick (40) and Noreen Mahon (34) were killed on December 9 last year, when the car being driven by Broderick skidded across the dual carriageway and hit the vehicle in which Ms Mahon was a back-seat passenger.

Student Garda Declan Lambe of Doughiska said he noticed the car being driven by Mr Broderick travelling at high speed on the evening in question as he made his way from the Corrib Park roundabout towards the Quincentenary Bridge at approximately 7.50p.m.

Mr Lambe said the silver Nissan car drove right up behind him in the slow lane of the dual carriageway, and he recalled that Mr Broderick flashed his lights on at least four occasions before overtaking him at high speed.

Mr Broderick proceeded to drive recklessly before his car ……………………