Woman left paralysed speaks of relief after driver fails in bid to restore license

A woman left paralysed following a high-speed car crash near Ballisodare in 2010 has expressed relief after the Court of Appeal rejected the driver's second attempt to restore his licence. Martin Kearney of Castlefield Manor, Ballina, Co Mayo was jailed for four years in 2012 after admitting dangerous driving causing serious harm. He received a 12-year driving ban. Kearney's appeal against a February 2022 Circuit Court decision refusing to restore his licence was heard by the Court of Appeal, which upheld the earlier rejection. His barrister argued the judge erred in law, but counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions supported the lower court's decision. Justice John Edwards announced the Court's decision to reject the application. Ms Branley attended proceedings in person. Her representatives said she was satisfied with the outcome, though court attendance proved tiring and stressful.