Two men appeared at Fermanagh Magistrates charged with causing the death of Natasha Carruthers by dangerous driving on October 7 2017. Padraig Toher and Nathan Phair appeared separately before the court with both men answering “yes” when it was asked if they understood the charges put to them.

In this preliminary enquiry the prosecution told the court that there was enough evidence to proceed with the case, which is now listed for Dungannon Crown Court on December 18.

Both men are charged with causing the death of Natasha Carruthers by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road. The collision occurred on the Lisnaskea Road outside Derrylin.

The two defendants are also charged with drug offences.

Toher, with an address of Bawnboy Co Cavan, faces a total of ten charges. In addition to causing the death of Ms Carruthers by dangerous driving he is also charged with manslaughter. Arising from the same collision that killed Miss Carruthers Toher is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Sarah Gault and Nathan Phair. He is also accused of causing damage to a motor vehicle belonging to Miss Carruthers and with intent to pervert the course of justice by arranging to have repairs carried out on a BMW car at some point in the nine days following the fatal collision. Toher is further charged with possession of an offensive weapon on the day of the collision.

In relation to the drug offences 28-year-old Toher is charged with two counts of possession of a Class A drug, namely cocaine. These offences relate to a time period between September 15 and October 5. He is also charged with and one count of attempting to have in his possession a Class A Drug, namely cocaine on October 6.

Phair, who has an address of Castlebalfour Park Lisnaskea, has also been charged with causing the death of Miss Carruthers by dangerous driving. In the same collision he stands accused of causing grievous bodily injury to Sarah Gault.

Phair, who is 23 years old, is charged with two counts of unlawfully supplying a Class A Drug, namely cocaine, on dates between August 15 and October 5 and one count of offering to supply a controlled Class A Drug, namely cocaine.

Both accused were asked if they wanted to give evidence in their defence at this time to which they both replied “Not at this time”.