Bus driver avoids jail for careless driving causing death of cyclist

A man has received a fully suspended one-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for careless driving causing the death of a cyclist. Mariusz Karpinski, aged 32 and from Ashbourne in County Meath, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of a cyclist on a local access road near Kilshane Cross in north County Dublin on 4 May 2021. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the suspended sentence, finding the case tragic but noting that Karpinski had been driving into strong sunlight that obscured his vision. The judge stated that while Karpinski was driving reasonably carefully, he failed to take appropriate steps to address the weather conditions. Evidence indicated the cyclist had been visible for approximately two seconds before impact. Karpinski, who has since relocated to Cavan and works in factory employment, was not disqualified from driving. The deceased's mother submitted a victim impact statement and was noted by the judge as displaying forgiveness toward the accused.