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10/06/2008
Former Bus Driver Found Not Guilty Of Killing Woman During Rampage
A former bus driver standing trial of a destructive rampage leading to the death of a pensioner has been found not guilty by verdict of insanity.
The Jury acquitted Peter Clarke, 38, a former City of London policeman, after evidence from a Central Mental Hospital Director revealed Clarke was suffering from “paranoid schizophrenia”.
The court heard how Clarke, who is a patient at the Central Mental Hospital, had taken a bus without the permission of his employer, before engaging in what the prosecution described as "an odyssey of destruction" leading to the death of 62 year-old Ms Marie Buckley.
Clarke faced 28 charges in total, including damaging up to 25 vehicles, some of them unmarked gardaí cars, in the Bluebell and Naas Road areas of Dublin, and threatening the gardaí who arrested him. Clarke was also in possession of a knife and an axe when he was arrested.
The court was told during the incident Clarke believed gardaí were trying to kill him.
Dr Patricia Casey said he had been taking oral medication for his condition "erratically" in the months before his rampage and told her he felt very upset. He said he remembered seeing flashing lights as he drove the coach and thought gardaí were trying to assassinate him because he knew too much about British security.
Previously, the trail had heard how Clarke had ploughed into traffic as he tried to escape gardaí. Ms Buckley had tried to escape her car as the bus approached but had become stuck after pushing her daughter from the vehicle before the bus collided and dragged it for a distance.
(DW/KMcA)
The Jury acquitted Peter Clarke, 38, a former City of London policeman, after evidence from a Central Mental Hospital Director revealed Clarke was suffering from “paranoid schizophrenia”.
The court heard how Clarke, who is a patient at the Central Mental Hospital, had taken a bus without the permission of his employer, before engaging in what the prosecution described as "an odyssey of destruction" leading to the death of 62 year-old Ms Marie Buckley.
Clarke faced 28 charges in total, including damaging up to 25 vehicles, some of them unmarked gardaí cars, in the Bluebell and Naas Road areas of Dublin, and threatening the gardaí who arrested him. Clarke was also in possession of a knife and an axe when he was arrested.
The court was told during the incident Clarke believed gardaí were trying to kill him.
Dr Patricia Casey said he had been taking oral medication for his condition "erratically" in the months before his rampage and told her he felt very upset. He said he remembered seeing flashing lights as he drove the coach and thought gardaí were trying to assassinate him because he knew too much about British security.
Previously, the trail had heard how Clarke had ploughed into traffic as he tried to escape gardaí. Ms Buckley had tried to escape her car as the bus approached but had become stuck after pushing her daughter from the vehicle before the bus collided and dragged it for a distance.
(DW/KMcA)
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A former bus driver is standing trial accused of a destructive rampage which led to the death of a pensioner. Peter Clarke, 38, is alleged to have taken the bus without the permission of his employer, before engaging in what the prosecution described as "an odyssey of destruction" leading to the death of 62 year-old Ms Marie Buckley.
Former Bus Driver Accused Of 'Odyssey of Destruction'
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21 November 2008
Gardaí Track 'Red-Handed' Robber
While the Irish police are becoming increasingly successful in dealing with robberies from cash-in-transit companies - one particular case that was brought to court this week wasn't too difficult to pursue - as the culprit was caught literally red-handed.
Gardaí Track 'Red-Handed' Robber
While the Irish police are becoming increasingly successful in dealing with robberies from cash-in-transit companies - one particular case that was brought to court this week wasn't too difficult to pursue - as the culprit was caught literally red-handed.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
