Courts / Dublin / Report
Community Service for hit and run driver who left cyclist with serious injuries
Summary
In a 2018 case, a 20‑year‑old driver, Melvin Rattigan, was sentenced to 240 hours of community service for dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to cyclist Laura Briggs. Rattigan, who had no full licence or insurance, collided with Briggs on Lower Dominick Street on 13 May 2015, after failing to see her on a green light while turning from Dorset Street onto Dominick Street. He fled the scene, claiming panic, and later pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge noted the offence was at the lower end of seriousness because Rattigan was neither speeding nor intoxicated, and highlighted his good character and educational efforts. Rattigan paid €3,000 for redress, which Briggs declined, directing it to St Francis' Hospice and a youth charity. A probation report was ordered to assess his suitability for community service.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Community Service for hit and run driver who left cyclist with serious injuries. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Ms Briggs at Lower Dominick Street, Dublin on May 13, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 13, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 16 Incident
- 2018-02-02 Publication
Why: She said it was at the "lower end" of the range of seriousness for such offences, because although Rattigan should have observed the cyclist, "he simply didn't see her". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Ms Briggs at Lower Dominick Street, Dublin on May 13, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge O'Connor noted that Rattigan's previous good character and his efforts to further his education, and ordered a report from the Probation Services to assess his suitability for community service. Pending that report, she sentenced Rattigan to 240 hours of community service in lieu of two years in jail.
Places mentioned
- Saint Mary's Park
- Dunsink Lane
- Dublin
- Dorset Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Lower Dominick Street
- Dublin
- Dominic Street
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request