Suspected Drink driver who killed two Irish pedestrians in Spain has blamed poor road conditions and the couple's "lack of caution" for their deaths.
The 35-year-old has been remanded in custody while a judge investigates him for the possible crime of manslaughter.John O'Connell (46) and wife Mary (45), from Cahirciveen, Co Kerry, were killed instantly when they were struck by a Peugeot 206 at an accident blackspot on the Costa Blanca on Monday night.Now the driver is said to be considering suing local authorities because of the poor condition of the N332 in Orihuela Costa, where the tragedy occurred.He was arrested at the scene after allegedly failing a breath test. He is also thought to have been speeding.But in a statement to an investigating judge behind closed doors on Tuesday, the driver said the area was badly lit and badly signposted.His lawyer reportedly blamed the tragedy on the "possible imprudence" of Mr and Mrs O'Connell.The driver, originally from Madrid but living in Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca, was returning from a dinner in a restaurant when he ploughed into the couple as they walked down the street.He has not been charged with any offence. The investigating judge will decide at a later date if he should face charges.The driver was told he would be held at the Folcalent prison in Alicante unless he could stump up the €6,000 bail.Meanwhile, yesterday a local restaurant owner told how he attempted to revive the couple after the horror crash but found they were already dead.Both bodies were found 50 metres from the car.
Jose Ramon Machuca said: "I had just closed my restaurant and I heard the bang. I tried taking their pulses but they were already dead."The driver didn't seem drunk to me, not at all. He seemed to be very normal."This has happened before, and it's a miracle it doesn't happen more often, because there is no pedestrian walkway, no footbridge, nothing."At night it's horrendous. I have reported it but the town hall has just ignored me."The couple, who have no children, were just hours into their holiday and were walking back to their hotel from a concert when they were struck by the car.They had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows.The stretch of road where the tragedy occurred, lined with bars and restaurants and near to a popular ex-pat residential neighbourhood called La Zenia, is a notorious accident blackspot.Local residents who live either side of the road and holidaymakers who stay in nearby hotels and self-catering apartments, have long complained of the dangers they face crossing it.Fr William Crean, of Cahirciveen parish church, said: "The town is simply devastated. They were heavily involved in the local community."