Tachograph Analysis assists with Guilty Plea entered in Fatal Traffic Accident

A 25-year-old young man was fatally injured following a road traffic collision between a car and a truck on the 27th of March 2024 near Newtown, Roscommon on the N61.

Following a Garda appeal and investigation a Scania articulated truck was suspected of being involved in the incident. The tachograph data from the truck was downloaded and examined by the Chemistry team in Forensic Science Ireland. The data from the tachograph correlated with a journey described by the truck driver through Donegal, Antrim, Louth, Limerick and Clonmel. However, the forensic analysis of the tachograph data showed that two cards had been used during this journey. In addition, the scientist was able to demonstrate that the card of the truck driver was not in use at the time of the incident and had been changed shortly after the collision occurred.

On foot of this evidence in February 2025, the driver of the Scania Lorry entered a guilty plea before the court, having been charged with the offence of Dangerous Driving causing death.

This plea in essence prevented a prolonged agony of a court case for the injured party’s family.