Courts / Dublin / Report

Driver's failure to pay attention caused serious harm to pedestrian

Date
2018-03-05

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Rathfarnham

County
Dublin

Summary

A 38‑year‑old driver, Aisling Keogh, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm after failing to notice a pedestrian crossing the road in Rathfarnham on 29 December 2015. The collision left the man, Paschal Walsh, with serious injuries; he later died in hospital, but the court ruled his death was not a direct result of the collision. Keogh, who had no prior convictions, stopped her car after striking the man, tended to him, called an ambulance, and reported the incident to Gardaí. For her conduct after the crash, the court deemed a prison sentence unnecessary and imposed 125 hours of community service in lieu of six months' imprisonment. The case was adjourned to April for a suitability assessment of the community service order. The judge noted no aggravating circumstances and described the incident as an accident in the true sense of the word.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Driver's failure to pay attention caused serious harm to pedestrian. Charges or matters: careless driving causing serious harm in Rathfarmham on December 29, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 29, 2015 Incident
2018-03-05 Publication

Case subjects

Aisling Keogh

Accused

Charges: careless driving causing serious harm in Rathfarmham on December 29, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He said she did not deserve a prison sentence. "This could be termed an accident in the true sense of the word," said Judge Nolan, "there was no aggravating circumstances whatsoever." Judge Nolan imposed 125 hours community service in lieu of six months imprisonment and adjourned the case until April for an assessment of suitability for community service.; He said she did not deserve a prison sentence. "This could be termed an accident in the true sense of the word," said Judge Nolan, "there was no aggravating circumstances whatsoever." Judge Nolan imposed 125 hours community service in lieu of six months imprisonment and adjourned the case until April for an assessment of suitability for community service.