Courts / Dublin / Report

Man whose dangerous driving cause death of friend (21) drove without insurance a year later, court hears

Date
2017-03-20
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Brittas
County
Dublin

Summary

Kevin McCarthy, aged 23, pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing the death of 21‑year‑old Thomas Carroll on the N81 near Brittas, Co Wicklow, on 29 May 2014. McCarthy, who had 73 prior convictions including 14 for failing to produce proof of insurance and 18 for failing to produce a licence, was driving at an estimated 100‑120 km/h, well above the 60 km/h speed limit signposted 300 metres before the crash. The vehicle, carrying McCarthy and Carroll, spun out, flipped twice and rolled about ten times before stopping on the wrong side of the road. Carroll, a father‑of‑one, suffered massive head injuries and died shortly after the crash. McCarthy has been sentenced on 28 March, wearing a necklace with a picture of Carroll to remind him of the loss.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man whose dangerous driving cause death of friend (21) drove without insurance a year later, court hears. Charges or matters: one count of dangerous driving causing the death of 21-year-old Thomas Carroll on the N81 near Brittas, Co Wicklow on May 29, 2014; driving without insurance in September 2015, over a year after the death of his friend. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Case subjects

Kevin McCarthy

Convicted Person

Charges: one count of dangerous driving causing the death of 21-year-old Thomas Carroll on the N81 near Brittas, Co Wicklow on May 29, 2014; driving without insurance in September 2015, over a year after the death of his friend (Proven)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; I miss him terribly." McCarthy sat with his head bowed and wiped his eyes several times during the sentence hearing. He will be sentenced on March 28.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Journey Or Route
Residence

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence

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