Court sets date for Navan bus crash trial

Two companies facing charges arising from a bus crash in Navan which claimed the lives of five schoolgirls will go on trial in less than three months.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today ruled that the hearing will begin on May 21st. Keltank Limited, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, which had a contract to service the bus, and McArdle's Test Centre in Dundalk, Co Louth, which inspected the vehicle, face charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act.

The bus crashed on May 23rd, 2005, during a school run when it overturned on the Kentstown Road outside Navan.

The five girls who died were Lisa Callan (15), Claire McCluskey (18), Deirdre Scanlon (17), from the Beauparc area of Navan, Co Meath, and Amy McCabe (15), from Hayestown, Navan, and Sinead Ledwidge (15) from Senchalstown, Navan. 46 other children were also injured in the crash.

Last week the relatives of the dead expressed dismay when a judge revealed there were no court rooms available for a trial until next January.

Judge Martin Nolan told the court he had a conversation with the President of the Circuit Court over the weekend who said the case should be given an early trial date. "I agree with that suggestion," he added.

The hearing was postponed last week after a judge revealed there were no court rooms available, prompting criticism of the Courts Service.

The schoolgirls' families expressed dismay over the long delays in the case, and lawyers for the State argued the trial should be given priority.

Keltank Ltd of Balbriggan, Co Dublin, which had a contract to service the bus, and McArdle's Test Centre in Dundalk, Co Louth, which inspected the vehicle, face charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act.