A man has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death following a workplace incident in Co Wicklow that claimed the life of Kildare father-of-two John Maher.
Tarieli Schatz (38) appeared before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court after originally being charged with dangerous driving causing death arising from an incident at a construction site in Rathdrum on July 2, 2025.
The court heard that the State had accepted a plea to the lesser offence of careless driving causing death and that the accused could be arraigned on an amended indictment.
Mr Schatz, formerly of the Grand Hotel, Abbey Street, Wicklow Town, and now living at Willow Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty to driving a Thwaites dumper at a construction site on Greenane Road, Rathdrum, without reasonable consideration for Mr Maher.
Dangerous driving causing death is the most serious road traffic offence before the courts and carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment upon conviction on indictment.
However, the offence of careless driving causing death carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine of up to €50,000, or both.
At an earlier hearing, investigating garda Sergeant Simon Whelan told the court that Mr Schatz is a Georgian national who speaks fluent Russian and also holds a Lithuanian passport.
The court previously heard that he has convictions outside the jurisdiction, including in Austria, from where he was deported.
While living in Ireland, Mr Schatz had been residing in international protection accommodation but was later removed following an altercation with another resident, the court was told.
Defence barrister Paul Carroll said his client was seeking to be sentenced within the coming weeks due to the significant amount of time he has already spent in custody. Mr Schatz was refused bail on multiple occasions because of his limited ties to the jurisdiction.
Prosecution counsel James Kelly told the court that the widow of Mr Maher was preparing a victim impact statement, which is expected to be available by June 25. Members of Mr Maher's family were present in court for the hearing.
Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin adjourned the matter until later this month for sentencing.
