Ireland Hit-and-run trial: Romanian man accused of killing teen Kedagh Moore in Co Kildare
Kedagh Moore, 16, was fatally injured in a collision on the R403 Allenwood-Prosperous road at Graigues, Robertstown, Co Kildare, at around 12.40am on 10 November 2024, while walking towards Prosperous to visit a friend. Marin Silaghi, 41, a Romanian man from Ballybrittas, Co Laois, was charged with three counts of failing to stop at the scene of the accident with the intention of evading liability and with driving a defective vehicle. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial began on 12 June 2026 before Judge Elva Duffy at Naas Circuit Criminal Court, where the court heard that Silaghi told gardaí the damage to his white Peugeot van was caused by hitting a deer near Navan. The trial is expected to last five days.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court12 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Kedagh Moore, 16, was fatally injured in a collision on the R403 Allenwood-Prosperous road at Graigues, Robertstown, Co Kildare, while walking towards Prosperous to visit a friend.
- Marin Silaghi, 41, a Romanian man from Ballybrittas, Co Laois, told gardaí that damage to his white Peugeot van was caused by hitting a deer near Navan.
- When
- The collision occurred at around 12.40am on 10 November 2024.
- Cause
- A postmortem showed Kedagh Moore died from severe, traumatic brain injuries due to a road traffic collision.
- Charges
- Silaghi pleaded not guilty to three charges of failing to stop and keep his vehicle and offer assistance at the scene with the intention of evading liability.
- He also pleaded not guilty to driving a vehicle he knew to be defective on the same date.
- In court
- The trial is before Judge Elva Duffy and a jury of six men and six women at Naas Circuit Criminal Court, expected to last five days.
- Other details
- The defence admitted Silaghi was driving a 211-reg vehicle on 10 November 2024 involved in a collision on the R403 and accepted evidence that Kedagh Moore died as a result of a road traffic collision.
- It was raining heavily that night and there was no lighting at the location of the collision.
- Witness Kaitlin Farrell saw a van about 500 metres ahead swerving, braking, then pulling into a grass verge with a broken front light and damage to its bonnet.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatKedagh Moore, 16, was fatally injured in a collision on the R403 Allenwood-Prosperous road at Graigues, Robertstown, Co Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe deceased had left his home and was walking towards Prosperous to visit a friend. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused told gardaí that damage to his white Peugeot van was caused by hitting a deer near Navan. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused was stopped by gardaí near Navan at around 3.15am on his way back home. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused had an agreement with the company that owned the vehicle requiring him to pay for any damage caused to it. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDefence admitted the accused was driving a 211-reg vehicle on 10 November 2024 involved in a collision on the R403. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDefence accepted evidence that Kedagh Moore died as a result of a road traffic collision. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKedagh's father John Moore said his son came downstairs shortly before midnight for two slices of toast and they spoke about Liverpool. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJohn Moore was woken at 2.10am when his wife Glenda said gardaí were outside informing them Kedagh had been in an accident. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatWitness Kaitlin Farrell saw a van about 500 metres ahead swerving in and out, braking, then pulling into a grass verge with a broken front light and damage to its bonnet. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatWitness Shona Brereton saw a person in black clothing walking on the other side of the road in the direction of Prosperous after 12.30am. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIt was raining heavily that night and there was no lighting at the location of the collision. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAn ambulance crew returning from the crash noticed a van parked at Killina National School in Carbury, Co Kildare at around 5am. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe collision occurred at around 12.40am on 10 November 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeA postmortem showed the teenager died from severe, traumatic brain injuries due to a road traffic collision. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMarin Silaghi pleaded not guilty to three charges of failing to stop and keep his vehicle and offer assistance at the scene with the intention of evading liability. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe also pleaded not guilty to driving a vehicle he knew to be defective on the same date. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Judge Elva Duffy and a jury of six men and six women at Naas Circuit Criminal Court, expected to last five days. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Jun2026Hit-and-run accused told gardai damage to van was caused by deer, trial hears
Trial day one at Naas Circuit Criminal Court. Prosecution and defence opening statements, evidence from victim's father John Moore, witnesses Kaitlin Farrell, Shona Brereton, Jackie Spain, paramedic Charles Rice, and Inspector Donal O'Sullivan. The accused told gardaí the damage to his white Peugeot van was caused by a deer near Navan; no dead animals were found at the scene. Trial expected to last five days.
victim, Kedagh Moore, 16, male, irish (judged from name)Kedagh Mooreaccused, Marin Silaghi, 41, male, Romanian, named, non-irishMarin Silaghi