TWO men have denied all charges in respect of a road traffic collision which caused the death of a woman and seriously injured two passengers in Fermanagh just over a year ago.
Appearing together in the dock of Dungannon Crown Court, but separated by custody staff were Padraig Toher (28) of Bawnboy, County Cavan and Nathan Phair (23) of Castlebalfour Park, Lisnaskea.
They are jointly charged with causing the death of Natasha Carruthers by dangerous driving during a horror crash at Lisnaskea Road, Derrylin on 7 October 2017.
It is further alleged the pair caused bodily injury to a female passenger.
Toher also stands charged with the manslaughter of Natasha, causing grievous bodily injury to his co-accused by dangerous driving and damaging a car. It is further alleged he was in possession of a metal bar as an offensive weapon and in the aftermath of the incident perverted the course of justice, by arranging to have repairs carried out to a BMW car.
There are additional charges of possession and attempted possession of cocaine on dates between 15 August and 6 October 2017.
Between the same dates Phair is further charged with twice unlawfully supplying cocaine, and a single count of offering to supply.
As the charges were individually read, the pair answered ‘not guilty’ to each in turn.
Judge Stephen Fowler QC remanded both in continuing custody until next month when a trial date is to be allocated.
Natasha, a mother of one from Letterbreen, died when the car in which she was travelling struck a tree. She was 23. The matter was initially treated as a tragic accident but after forensic examination, police upgraded the investigation, and arrests followed.
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