Man charged over M4 pile up that killed Irish tradie refused bail

A man charged over last week’s horror M4 pile up that allegedly killed an Irish tradesman has been refused bail after fronting court.

A man charged with dangerous driving causing death after a tradesman was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Sydney’s M4 has been refused bail.

Irishman Francis Shanley, 36, died in the pile up involving at least eight cars and a truck at the Church Street off-ramp in Mays Hill before 6am on Thursday. About 200 metres of debris was left sprawled along the motorway.

Police arrested Francis Omigie, 53, on Friday night and charged him with dangerous driving occasioning death, a backup charge of negligent driving occasioning death, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death and two counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct.

“The accused, I’m told, had some … mechanical problems and his intention was to change lanes to the left and unfortunately (this) has resulted in a pile up,” Omigie’s lawyer Eiad Diyab told Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.

“There was no damage to his vehicle. In his mind, it wasn’t clear … he was party to the accident.”

Francis Omigie, driver of a Toyota Echo that police alleged caused the crash that killed 36-year-old tradie Francis Shanley. Picture: Supplied

The pile up involved at least eight vehicles and left debris strewn along a 200m stretch of motorway. Picture: Nine News Sydney

He said Omigie, who migrated to Australia from Nigeria, is very distressed.

Police allege the Ropes Crossing man was driving a Toyota Echo that changed lanes on the motorway and then stopped, causing multiple collisions as a result.

The victim’s ute was struck by a truck.

Magistrate George Zdenkowski refused bail on the basis of Omigie allegedly failing to stop and render assistance after the “horrific crash” and then seeking to evade police.

“These are of course extremely serious charges and certainly, should they be established to the required degree in due course in a court, are likely to entail a custodial penalty,” he said.

Irish tradie Francis Shanley, 36, and Australian girlfriend Broc Nicholson were engaged to be married. Picture: Facebook