Bus driver on trial over death of teenagers on e-scooter

Updated / Tuesday, 3 Nov 2026 17:18

A 43-year-old bus driver has gone on trial charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of two teenagers who were travelling on an e-scooter in Waterford over two years ago.

The collision, which occurred on the Cork Road in Waterford city in the early hours of 27 June 2024, resulted in the deaths of Gilbert Collins and Avuzwa Sampo.

The deceased were aged 15 and 17, respectively, when the collision took place.

Adrian Doyle of Ard Glas, Abbey Road, Ferrybank, Waterford, was last year charged in connection with the incident.

Waterford Circuit Criminal Court was told that Mr Doyle was driving a coach for JJ Kavanagh bus company on the morning in question.

He had just begun his shift and was about to pick up his first passengers at the South East Technological University bus stop when the collision occurred at around 2am.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Niall Storan BL said that the two young people were travelling on the one e-scooter in the same direction as the bus towards the city centre.

Mr Storan said the jury would hear evidence that data from the tachograph fitted to the bus would put the speed of the vehicle at the time of the collision in the region of 76km/h.

He said the speed limit for that stretch of road was 50km/h.

Mr Storan said the two teenagers had been wearing dark clothing and were travelling on a black e-scooter that did not have a rear light.

The prosecuting barrister said the collision took place as both the bus and e-scooter moved to the right of the road and the impact occurred near the white line in the centre of the road.

Mr Storan said the accused had tested negative for driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

The jury of nine men and three women heard evidence from a number of gardaí who had attended and assessed the scene.

The court heard that the road conditions were dry and visibility was poor in places.

Forensic collision investigator, Garda Maurice Mahon of Thomastown Garda Station said the collision had occurred around 1.3km from the Butlerstown roundabout.

He said there was damage to the front centre of the bus and also the underneath of the vehicle after it had travelled over the e-scooter.

Gda Mahon said there was no evidence of any pre-impact braking.

Sergeant Gavin Sheehan of Waterford Garda Station said he and colleagues had attended the scene and later established that the two teenagers had been in the Snap Fitness gym in Waterford just prior to when the collision occurred.

He said the main neck of the e-scooter had been snapped and it was found at the centre of the road.

Sgt Sheehan said he could confirm that Mr Doyle had passed a roadside breathalyser test and also tested negative for drug driving.

Gda Ray Barry, also of Waterford Garda Station, had been on duty in a patrol car on the night in question.

He said when he arrived at the scene he met Mr Doyle in a distressed state.

The garda said the accused told him that he had started his shift driving to Dublin Airport at 1.50am and the two boys on the e-scooter had appeared out of his view and he did not have time to react.

The trial continues at Waterford Courthouse tomorrow before Judge Eugene O'Kelly and the jury. It is expected to last three to four days.