Motorist charged with dangerous driving causing death of Athlone man

A man is due to appear in court in New Zealand this month after being charged with dangerous driving causing the death of South Roscommon native Declan Curley earlier this year.

Declan, from Clonark, Athlone, was struck by a car while he was walking on Dixon Street in Wellington, New Zealand, early on the morning of February 12.

Tragically, the 37-year-old died at the scene.

A police spokesperson confirmed to the Westmeath Independent that a 21-year-old man from Wainuiomata, New Zealand, had been charged with two offences in connection with the incident.

He was charged with dangerous driving causing death, and excess breath alcohol causing death.

The defendant is scheduled to appear before Wellington District Court on Monday, June 20.

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, a charity which provides financial help to bereaved families repatriating their loved ones back to Ireland, recently thanked Caolan Keegan and the friends of Declan Curley who set up a 'Givealittle' fundraiser in New Zealand in Declan's memory and raised a "greatly appreciated" sum of £50,000 for the Trust.

A very popular figure in Athlone and Roscommon, Declan worked in the civil service in Ireland for twelve years before moving to New Zealand where he was a credit control manager for Momentum, a recruitment company.

He was a past pupil of Cornafulla National School and St Aloysius College, and played gaelic football with Clann na nGael.

Tributes paid after his death described him as "a fantastic person" and someone who "will never be forgotten by those who met him."