A judge has refused bail in the case of a thirty-two-year-old man charged with causing the horror crash in Killylea, killing father and son Peter and Loughlin Devlin.
Ivan Petrov (32) from Newry Road, Armagh is charged with causing the deaths as well as causing grievous bodily injury to Ursula Devlin by driving dangerously.
A police officer aware of the facts of the case told Newry Magistrates’ Court the charges could be connected.
Dressed in a black polo shirt and jeans with his left arm in a cast, Petrov spoke only to confirm his identity and that he understood the charges.
It was confirmed Petrov is a Bulgarian national who was previously in the jurisdiction since 2015, however, left for a time and returned in July last year, when he also registered as the owner of the Audi.
He was driving an Audi which was the second car involved in the incident, described in court as a head-on collision with a Mercedes being driven by Loughlin Devlin on December 27.
His father Peter was in the rear and died at the scene.
Ursula Devlin was in the rear and remains critically ill in hospital.
Loughlin’s wife and baby son were injured but have since been released from hospital.
The officer explained Petrov’s car was on the wrong side of the road, on taking a left-hand bend impacting with the Devlin’s car.
A major operation commenced involving PSNI, NI Ambulance Service and NI Fire and Rescue Service, with members of the public also assisting at the scene.
The Mercedes came to a rest at the edge of a field while the Audi ended up on its side in a grass verge.
The occupants of both vehicles had to be removed due to the entrapment caused by the impact of the collision.
This included Petrov being treated in hospital for rib and arm injuries and his defence informed the court he presented himself to PSNI at Musgrave Station in Belfast of his own accord.
Police were strongly opposed to bail pointing out there is a severe flight risk as he is a Bulgarian national with links to the Republic of Ireland and holds a Portuguese Driving Licence.
“He has no permanent address and has a significant previous record for motoring offences since his arrival in the jurisdiction in 2015,” said the officer.
Petrov contended he is diabetic and prior to the accident his blood sugar was low, but having eaten a bar of chocolate he felt better.
District Judge Eamon King remarked: “The charges arise out of a two-car head-on collision. The defendant was the sole occupant of an Audi and the police have information that it was on the wrong side of the road, impacting with a Mercedes in which two of the five occupants unfortunately died.
“Another was grievously injured and two others were also injured. I’m satisfied the defendant was driving the Audi, indeed he had to be removed from it.”
He continued: “Since Petrov has been in Northern Ireland he has amassed a significant criminal record for driving offences, including multiple counts each of no licence or insurance, having children unrestrained, unaccompanied L driver, no L Plates displayed – all of which he was disqualified for at various times.”
Refusing bail Judge King held: “There are risks of flight and reoffending, alongside a cavalier attitude to driving responsibilities.”
Petrov will appear again by video-link on January 21 at Armagh Magistrates’ Court.
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