Driver accused of causing deaths of father and son in Co Armagh collision under investigation over diabetic condition

Prosecutors claimed Ivan Petrov, 33, may face further charges in connection with a Portuguese driving licence he obtained before the crash near Killylea, Co Armagh in which Peter and Loughlin Devlin were killed.

Details emerged as a judge adjourned his latest application for bail to await more information on international requests for assistance.

Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan warned that further delays could ultimately lead to him being released from custody.

Peter Devlin, 63, and his son Loughlin, 28, died at the scene of the two-vehicle collision on December 27, 2024.

Three other members of their family were also seriously injured, including a five-month-old child who suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

Petrov, a Bulgarian national with an address at Newry Road in Armagh, faces two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and a further count of causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving.

The court heard he was behind the wheel of an Audi vehicle which veered completely across the Killylea Road and collided with the victims’ Mercedes car.

Peter Devlin’s wife suffered multiple injuries, including a ruptured spleen, broken pelvis, shattered leg bones and a fractured neck.

Another female passenger sustained breaks to her ankle and hand, along with torn ligaments and a ruptured achilles. Her infant son suffered head injuries which required ongoing medical supervision.

Petrov, who received hospital treatment for a fractured arm, told police he had travelled from Armagh to attend a pharmacy and Post Office.

He claimed to be a Type 1 diabetic who felt his blood sugar levels drop and then blacked out before the fatal collision. The last thing he remembered was stopping to eat a bar of chocolate and then feeling fine to continue driving, according to his account.

It was disclosed that the defendant had previously been disqualified from driving in Northern Ireland, but subsequently travelled to Portugal to obtain a licence back in 2018. Petrov arranged for his car to be exported from Bulgaria and driven under Bulgarian insurance, the court heard.

Crown counsel Stephanie Boyd said: “Police are still investigating whether or not that insurance had a declaration that he was Type 1 diabetic and if he declared it to the Portuguese authorities. “It may well be that there are further charges in relation to that,” it was stated.

International letters requesting further information have been sent to both Bulgaria and Portugal.

Bail was opposed amid continuing claims Petrov posed a risk of flight.

Defence barrister Bobbie Rea insisted his client fully cooperated with police and has lived and worked in Northern Ireland over the past decade.

Concerns were also raised about a potential six-month wait for a medical report.

Expressing exasperation over the delays, the Lady Chief Justice indicated it could “tip the balance” in determining whether Petrov should be granted bail.

She directed the Public Prosecution Service to provide more information on the international letters by Monday and stated that the case should have been at Crown Court trial stage by now.

“The issue from day one was a potential medical point,” Dame Siobhan added. “Why it has taken over a year to get it dealt with I don’t understand.”