Belfast hit-and-run driver denied bail; court heard he was in mental health crisis

A 22-year-old man has been denied bail after appearing in court charged with causing the death of a pedestrian and seriously injuring another in a hit-and-run in Belfast. Francis Donaldson, of Cardigan Drive, faced Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with causing death by dangerous driving on July 16th, among other offences.

The court heard that Raven Adams, 24, originally from the Tipperary area, died after she and a man were struck by a car in the York Street area at around 2.40am. The man remains in hospital with injuries to his skull, neck, ribs, shoulder and knee. Dashcam footage showed the vehicle travelling at speed, running two red lights before mounting the footpath.

A police officer told the court that the defendant’s mother had called police saying he sent a message to his partner indicating he was ‘suicidal and was going to intentionally crash his car to kill himself’. Donaldson was later found in the Cavehill area and admitted involvement, asking if the two people were dead. In a statement, he said: ‘I accept I am responsible for what happened. I was experiencing a mental health crisis both at the time and in the immediate aftermath of the collision.’

The judge refused bail, citing concerns over the risk Donaldson posed to himself and the community, and ordered a mental health assessment. The case is due to be mentioned again in four weeks.

Article and image source: breakingnews.ie