125 – Murder by Car: Daniel McDonald

In the early hours of 2nd February, 2007, a tragedy occurred on the main street of Arklow, Co Wicklow. A man had been struck by a car and lay dying in the road.

It soon became clear, however, that this was no accident.

But – was it murder?

This episode was researched and written by Aileen Spearin.

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Theme Music:

Quinn’s Song: The Dance Begins Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Additional Music:   Allemande (Sting) by Wahneta Meixsell. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/


Sources:

Junio McEnroe, “Gardai probe reported row as car kills man in town centre”, Irish Examiner, Feb 3rd2007.

“Gardai probe death of man struck by car on path”, Sunday Independent, Feb 4th 2007

“Daniel loved to play sport and socialize”, Irish Independent, Feb 8th 2007.

“Gardai piecing together Daniel’s final moments”, Irish Independent, Feb 8th 2007.

“Town comes to a standstill as hundreds pay final respects”, Irish Independent, Feb 8th2007.

“Murder Charge”, Irish Examiner, June 1st 2007.

“Man (21) is charged with Daniel’s murder”, Irish Independent, Jun 7th 2007.

Georgina O Halloran, “Head and chest injuries caused man’s death “, Irish Examiner, Aug 15th2007.

Nicola Boyes, “Murder accused ‘cracked up’ claim”, Evening Herald, Apr 8th 2008.

Nicola Boyes, “ Victim flipped into air by car, murder trial told”, Irish Independent, Apr 9th 2008.

Nicola Boyes, “Accused man was chased by four men, court told”, Irish Examiner, Apr 10th 2008.

“Victim killed after car drove into him”, Irish Independent, Apr 10th 2008.

Daniel Hickey, “Man accused of murder was screaming like a lunatic, court told”, Irish Examiner, Apr 11th 2008.

“Woman tells of hijacking car”, Irish Examiner, Apr 12th 2008.

Nicola Boyes, “Accused sped towards victim without braking”, Evening Herald, Apr 15th 2008.

Nicola Boyes, “Murder trial hears victim flung in air ‘like a rag doll’”, Irish Examiner, Apr 15th2008.

Nicola Boyes, “Murder accused had ample chance to leave town”, Apr 16th 2008.

Nicola Boyes, “Murder accused was acting like the antichrist”, Evening Herald, Apr 16th2008.

“Murder accused said he wanted to get a shotgun”, Irish Independent, Apr 17th 2008.

Nicola Boyes, “Witness describes fight before man was killed by car”, Irish Examiner, Apr 17th2008.

Nicola Boyes, “Man was choking on blood in middle of road, court told”, Irish Examiner, Apr 18th2008.

“Murder accused speeding in car when he hit victim, court hears”, Irish Examiner, Apr 22nd2008.

“Car hit victim at 81 km/hr”, Irish Examiner, Apr 23rd 2008.

“Death car was travelling at speeds up to 81 km/h”, Irish Independent, Apr 24th2008.

“Jury retires to consider verdict in Arklow murder trial”, Irish Independent, Apr 29th2008.

Nicola Boyes, “Antichrist driver gets life term for murder using car”, Irish Independent, May 1st 2008.

Nicola Boyes and Aoife Finnan, “Car killer’s smirk as he’s jailed for life for murder”, Evening Herald, May 1st 2008.

Nicola Boyes, “Man, 22, gets life for murder using car”, Irish Examiner, May 1st 2008.

“Jury out to consider murder case verdict”, Irish Independent, May 1st 2008.

“Murderer begins life behind bars”, The Echo, May 7th 2008.

Abigail Rieley, “Antichrist car killer gets 14 years added to life term”, May 30th2008.

“In Brief”, Irish Independent, Jan 22nd 2009.

Vivion Kilfeather, “Man who used car to murder fails in appeal”, Irish Examiner, Apr 3rd2009.

“Murder conviction appeal lost”, Irish Times, Apr 3rd2009.