BIN lorry driver Harry Clarke's lawyer said he is "not a liar or a deceitful man" but an "ordinary man who has the failings of an ordinary man".

Paul Reid QC, said Mr Clarke has been treated "unfairly" during an inquiry into the tragedy.

He said, in his final submission: "Mr Clarke understands that there is nothing I can say on his behalf that will offer any meaningful comfort to the families of those who died."

He said Mr Clarke "did not set out that morning to inflict unimaginable loss".

He added: "He is not a liar or a deceitful man, as has been suggested.
"He is an ordinary man who has the failings of an ordinary man."

Mr Reid added that Mr Clarke will "carry with him" the tragic events of December 22 "for the rest of his life".

The QC said that Mr Clarke does not "seek to blame others" but said that with hindsight there were other issues.

But he added: "Just as Mr Clarke did not to set out to cause this carnage, he has no reason to doubt the sincerity of others actions."

Mr Reid said he the "allegations levelled" at the driver thought out the FAI have been "unfair".

He said: "It was Harry Clarke's intention to answer every question put to him."

But the in the knowledge that he was facing a private prosecution he exercised his "birth right" not to incriminate himself.

Mr Reid said it was "lamentable" that Mr Clarke was attacked for doing this.

He said that the allegation put to Mr Clarke that the tragedy was "all his fault" was "unfounded and unfair".

Mr Reid said: "Prior to December 2014 no doctor had ever told Mr Clarke that his medical condition made him unfit to drive."

He said: "No indication was ever given to Mr Clarke to notify a medical condition to the DVLA. It was reasonable for him to rely on the doctors in that regard."

He added: "Mr Clarke's medical history gave no indication that he was at an increased risk of a vasovagal episode.
"To suggest that Mr Clarke should have known that he was unfit to drive because of his medical history has no basis in fact."

Mr Reid added that it was "simply incredible" to suggest that his client had tried to "cover up" his medical history.

The QC added that that allegations that Mr Clarke blacked out at the wheel of a bus were not reliable as there are no direct witnesses to this.

He said that Mr Clarke is a "poor historian with an unreliable recall of dates" and added that a system which relies on an individual's memory is "unreliable".

Mr Reid said that the driver relied on the "clean bills of health" given to him by his doctor and "his own memory" and that "those failed him".

He added: "Those failures are not necessarily culpable or negligible."

Paul Reid said earlier that Mr Clarke "does not doubt for a minute the unimaginable loss, grief and distress" suffered by the families.

He said: "On behalf of Mr Clarke and from myself and those who instruct me I would like to convey my condolences."