A verdict of guilty has been delivered for Bohdan Bezverkhyi, a 33-year-old man of Ukrainian origin currently residing in Ballinhassig’s Rigsdale House, on charges of perilous driving leading to a fatal accident involving well-known GAA commentator, Paudie Palmer, in Co Cork. Bezverkhyi had denied causing the tragedy that occurred at Dunkereen Cross, Innishannon, Cork on the 29th of December 2022.
In the accident, the 65-year-old Palmer suffered grave injuries and succumbed to them in a hospital on January 8th, 2023. As a father of two, Palmer’s accomplishments included a forty-year teaching career at St Brogan’s College in Bandon, sharing his insights as a columnist for The Echo newspaper, and providing commentary for Cork radio stations on GAA events.
After almost six hours of intricate examination, the jury, comprising seven women and five men at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, delivered a unanimous verdict of guilt. Judge Jonathan Dunphy expressed his gratitude to the jury for their meticulous deliberation and postponed Bezverkhyi’s sentencing to May 2nd, remanding him in custody. Victim impact statements are set to be drawn up before the sentencing.
The court heard how Bezverkhyi had confessed to his mother and friends, via text messages shortly after the accident, about drunkenly fleeing the accident scene. These messages were translated into English and presented as evidence. In one message, he stated, “I got in a car accident. Advise me on what to do. I am totally at fault. I ran away. I was intoxicated. I have no defence. I am culpable of everything.”
In another exchange with a friend questioning his absence at the police station, he responded “because I am inebriated”.
Testifying before the court, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster noted that Palmer was approximately 300 to 500 metres away from his domicile when the accident occurred. She stated that the causes of death were traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries with thoracic injuries resulting from a road traffic collision.
According to the prosecution, Bezverkhyi had inadvertently ignored a stop sign, ensuing in a collision with Palmer’s car at the crossroads. The impact made Palmer’s vehicle swerve and hit the embankment.
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