Trial continues in fatal Kildare hit-and-run case 

THE TRIAL continues this week of a man accused of a fatal hit-and-run incident in Kildare, resulting in the death of a local teenager.

The court heard on Wednesday that the defendant’s employer said he got a WhatsApp message from the accused after the fatal collision claiming that he hit a deer or some animal.

Marin Silaghi (41) with an address at Ballybrittas, Co Laois has pleaded not guilty to three charges related to his alleged failure to stop and keep his vehicle, as well as offer assistance at the scene of the crash on 10 November 2024.

It was heard that the deceased, Kedagh Moore (16) died as a result of a collision some 250 metres from his home at Graigues, Robertstown, Co Kildare, while he was walking at 12.40am on the R403 Allenwood-Prosperous road.

The accused believed he had hit a deer, as he recounted to gardaí after they pulled him over during a routine checkpoint operation in Carbury.

The two gardaí present on the night came before the court and confirmed that on 10 November 2024 at 3.15am they conducted a checkpoint at Killina National School, Cabury, when they noticed a vehicle approach slowly with one headlight, damage to the windscreen and a wing mirror hanging off.

The gardaí stopped the driver, who was identified as being Mr Silaghi, before asking him questions in connection with the damage seen on the car.

They gardaí explained that while the accused had a poor level of English, he was able to understand the questions put to him.

They asked about the damage to the vehicle and Mr Silaghi responded that he had been in a crash and hit a deer when coming from Navan.

He then said he did not know the exact location of the crash.

Another witness before the jury was Mr Silaghi’s employer who gave a brief outline of the man’s history in the company.

The man was questioned by defence counsel, Paul Murray SC, and revealed that he received a Whatsapp message from Mr Silaghi on 10 November saying he hit a deer or some animal.

Two other witnesses who were with the accused in the hours before the incident were examined by Prosecutor Jordan Fletcher.

Both witnesses explained that a group of work colleagues, including Mr Silaghi, prepared traditional Romanian food and ate together before drinking alcohol.

One witness, who had made a statement to gardaí and who had given evidence before the jury, said he saw Mr Silaghi drink coffee on the night, followed by approximately 100ml of whiskey. He then said that Mr Silaghi had a nap afterwards.

Mr Fletcher highlight that in his statement to gardaí the witness had said that Mr Silaghi also had beer on the night, and made no mention of Mr Silaghi’s nap.

Questioned by Mr Murray, the witness said he stayed in the kitchen with his colleagues until 12am, and confirmed that at this time Mr Silaghi had gone for a nap.

The other witness that night said all of his colleagues were drinking cognac or whiskey. He also said that, as far as he can remember, Mr Silaghi did not have anything else to drink.

The last witness to the stand was a collision investigator from the Eastern Region Forensic Division, who had investigated the scene.

Photo evidence booklets were shared among the jury which showed the scene of the crime, including debris left on the roadside, tyre marks, and photos of Mr Moore’s clothing.

Among the debris left on the road was plastic from a vehicle headlight, fog light blanking plate and blanking for car towing.

Mr Fletcher asked on what basis is a tire mark created. The investigator explained that they are created from braking.

The trial continues before Judge Elva Duffy and the jury in Naas Circuit Court amid legal disruptions due to the ongoing solicitor strikes happening countrywide.