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Drunk driver appeals three-year sentence for leaving mum with brain injury
Summary
Jayne Kearney, aged 26, appealed the three‑year prison sentence she received for dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to Blathnaid Molloy, a mother of two, after Kearney was almost three times the legal alcohol limit. Kearney pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 8 March 2014 and was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan on 12 January 2015. In her appeal, Kearney's barrister, Padraig Dwyer SC, argued that a suspended sentence or community service would have been appropriate, noting that Kearney had left the hotel after a dispute with her boyfriend, had not been drinking all evening, and had made a single reckless decision to drive. Dwyer highlighted that Kearney had cooperated at the scene, made admissions, and that the injuries were sustained by Molloy. The court, hearing the arguments, reserved judgment and would decide as soon as possible. The appeal does not alter the fact that Kearney was convicted of dangerous driving and driving while intoxicated.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Drunk driver appeals three-year sentence for leaving mum with brain injury. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Blathnaid Molloy and driving while intoxicated at City West on March 8, 2014; dangerous driving but the most that could be said, according to the evidence, Mr Dwyer told the court, was that she struck the injured party. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 8, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 12, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-10-13 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Blathnaid Molloy and driving while intoxicated at City West on March 8, 2014; dangerous driving but the most that could be said, according to the evidence, Mr Dwyer told the court, was that she struck the injured party (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She was sentenced to three years imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan on January 12, 2015. Opening an appeal against sentence today Kearney's barrister, Padraig Dwyer SC, submitted that a suspended sentence or community service would have met the case.
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