Dungannon woman in court over fatal M1 pile up

By Q Radio News

A Co. Tyrone woman was in court today accused of causing a six car motorway pile up which claimed the life of a pensioner. 

Standing in the dock at Craigavon Magistrates Court, 33-year-old Melissa Nugent confirmed she understood the three charges against her and that she did not object to the Preliminary Enquiry, the legal step necessary to have a case referred to the Crown Court. 

Nugent, from the Clonmore Road in Dungannon, is accused of causing the death of Margaret Buchanan and grievous bodily injury to Margaret Ball and Isabella Heaney by driving carelessly on the M1 on 8 April last year. 

None of the facts were opened but the charges relate to 80-year-old Mrs Buchanan dying when a vehicle hit a tree after being involved in a six-car collision on the westbound carriageway of the motorway between Moira and Lurgan at around 5.30pm that Friday evening. 

In court today a prosecution lawyer submitted that the witness statements and legal papers formed the basis of a Prima Facie case, a submission which her defence lawyer took no issue with. 

Nugent was told that although not obliged to, she could comment on the charges, give evidence to the court herself or call witnesses in her behalf but she declined the opportunity. 

Releasing Nugent on her own bail of £500, District Judge Bernie Kelly returned the case to Craigavon Crown Court and ordered her to appear there for her arraignment on 21 November.