Man remanded in custody over Aghagallon collision that killed Pauline Downing
A 34-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged in connection with a fatal road traffic collision in Aghagallon, County Antrim, which claimed the life of a woman in her 60s.
Mark Branagan, of Muskett Road, Carryduff, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates’ Court on Monday 26 October 2026, charged with causing death by careless driving and three further motoring offences.
The woman who died has been named as Pauline Downing, a mother of two from the Lurgan area.
Pauline Downing died following Aghagallon collision
The fatal collision occurred on the Lurgan Road in Aghagallon on Friday 23 October 2026.
Police received a report at approximately 2.50pm of a collision involving a female pedestrian and a white Audi Q3.
Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland attended alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Despite the attendance of emergency services, Ms Downing died at the scene.
A 34-year-old man was subsequently arrested as police launched an investigation into the circumstances of the collision.
Four charges brought before Lisburn Magistrates’ Court
Branagan appeared before Lisburn Magistrates’ Court on Monday facing four charges arising from the incident.
He is charged with causing death by careless driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and driving unaccompanied while holding a learner licence.
During the hearing, a PSNI detective told the court that Branagan could be connected to the charges.
The accused’s defence solicitor confirmed that no application for bail was being made.
District Judge Rosie Watters remanded Branagan in custody.
The charges have not been proven, and the accused has not been convicted of any offence arising from the collision.
Case due back before court on 30 October
The case is scheduled to return before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday 30 October 2026.
The hearing on Monday was an initial court appearance rather than a trial, and no determination of guilt has been made.
Police enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision have continued following the incident.
Police appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage
The PSNI previously appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or has information that could assist its investigation to come forward.
Officers are particularly interested in dashcam footage or other recordings from the Lurgan Road area around the time of the collision.
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or use the PSNI’s online witness appeal service, quoting reference 949 of 23 October 2026.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
External link: PSNI online witness appeals