Courts / Cork / Report
Trucker who left cyclist in wheelchair was caught in same unroadworthy vehicle one month later
Summary
In July 2017 the Court of Appeal upheld a 15‑year driving ban imposed on 52‑year‑old truck driver Tim Walsh of Moneen, Cork, after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to cyclist Vincent O'Driscoll in August 2013. Walsh had been jailed for three years and disqualified from driving for 15 years by Judge Seán O'Donnabháin. The appeal court found that on the day of the incident Walsh was operating a 42‑tonne lorry loaded with timber that was "manifestly unroadworthy", with 70 defects including a cracked rear side mirror that prevented him from seeing the cyclist. He attempted to overtake on a rising bend, pulled back before clearing the cyclist, and the cyclist was struck by the rear wheels of the trailer. O'Driscoll suffered life‑threatening injuries, including a severed spinal cord that shortens his life expectancy by 15‑30 years, and is now confined to a wheelchair.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Trucker who left cyclist in wheelchair was caught in same unroadworthy vehicle one month later. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to cyclist Vincent O'Driscoll on the Cork—Moneen road in August 2013. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 30, 2014 Incident
- 2017-07-27 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to cyclist Vincent O'Driscoll on the Cork—Moneen road in August 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Walsh was jailed for three years and disqualified from driving for 15 years by Judge Seán O'Donnabháin on July 30, 2014.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
- The Circuit Court
- Cork
- Moneen road
- National Rehabilitation Hospital
Topics
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