Woman who caused death of fellow Ukrainian near Cork Airport to be sentenced in May
Kseniia Vasylenko pleased guilty to careless driving causing death. File picture: Eddie O'Hare
A Ukrainian refugee in Cork who will be sentenced on May 1 for careless driving causing the death of a fellow Ukrainian man near Cork Airport said she prays for the family of the deceased and hopes that someday they will find it in their hearts to forgive her.
Prosecution barrister Donal O’Sullivan said the plea of guilty to careless — rather than dangerous driving — causing death, made by Kseniia Vasylenko, 43, was acceptable to the state. She admitted careless driving causing the death of Andrii Nesterov, who was aged around 50, after 2am on October 8, 2023.
The fatal incident came to light when a member of staff at Cork Airport Hotel called for an ambulance for a man experiencing cardiac arrest. Emergency personnel arrived to find the deceased lying on the ground with obvious injuries to his leg and head. He died very soon afterward.
On investigation, it was quickly established that Ms Vasylenko had been present at the time. Initially, she denied being in the driver’s seat of the deceased man’s car at the time of the fatal incident but ultimately she admitted it after being shown dashcam footage from this car of the incident occurring.
Det Garda Brennan said: “A person could be seen walking at the rear of the Hyundai vehicle. Six seconds later the vehicle is put into reverse and driven in reverse when Mr Nesterov is at rear of the vehicle. The front right side of the vehicle comes up and the deceased becomes visible on the ground (in front of the car).
“Ms Vasylenko is then seen approaching the victim on the ground. Ms Vasylenko is observed lifting his body and attempting to drag him in the direction of the vehicle. Ms Vasylenko then leaves.”
It is seen that she then arrived back at the hotel where she was residing. When questioned she said she did not realise she had driven over the deceased. Later she admitted having a lot of alcohol prior to the incident. A toxicology report on the deceased also confirmed that he had a high quantity of alcohol.
A victim impact statement from the family of the deceased was handed into court but not read publicly.
The accused said through Jane Hyland defence senior counsel that she never meant for this to happen, she was devastated that this happened and that she had caused the loss of a father for a young family.
Ms Hyland said: “She is extremely remorseful. If she could turn back time she would. She says she will pray for his family and for his soul to rest in peace and hopes that at some time they will find a place in their hearts for forgiveness for her.
"She said she reluctantly left Ukraine because her mother could no longer cope with the constant bombing and was concerned about the fact that her son was living his young life in underground shelters. Ms Hyland said she worked with refugees in Ukraine and has now become a refugee herself."
She has been in custody since the time of the incident and is doing extremely well in prison, Ms Hyland said.
Judge Helen Boyle said she would sentence her on May 1 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
The original charge in the book of evidence against Ms Vasylenko concerned the allegation that she dangerously drove a Hyundai Alantra car at Cork Airport causing the death of Andrii Nesterov, who was aged around 50, after 2am on October 8, 2023. Ultimately, she pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death.
