A man from Slane, Co Meath has been extradited to Perth, Western Australia to face charges over a 2007 car crash in which two people died.
Eamonn Driver (31) faced Perth Magistrates Court today, charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death.
The crash occurred in the Perth suburb of Bedford on October 31st, 2007. Colm Reilly (20) and Kiara Duncan (22), both also from Co Meath, were killed.
Mr Reilly died instantly in the collision, while Ms Duncan died in hospital three days later.
It is alleged Mr Driver was driving the car when it crossed the centre median of the road, overturned and crashed into an oncoming car driven by a 63-year-old woman, who escaped serious injury.
Mr Driver was taken to hospital with a shattered pelvis.
He returned to Ireland within weeks of the crash, before any charges were laid.
In August 2009 Mr Driver failed to appear in a Perth court to face charges over the deaths of Mr Reilly and Ms Duncan. This led magistrate Barbara Lane to issue a warrant for his arrest.
An extradition order was sought with the help of the Western Australia department of public prosecutions, the federal attorney general’s office and Irish authorities.
On July 24th Minister for Justice Alan Shatter ordered Mr Driver to surrender to Australian authorities.
Police officers from Western Australia’s crash investigation unit travelled to Ireland to bring Mr Driver to Perth.
He will reappear at Perth Magistrates Court on August 28th.
