Courts / Dublin / Report

Careless driver who caused serious harm to pedestrian is sentenced to community service

Date
2018-04-09

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Rathfarnham

County
Dublin

Summary

A 38‑year‑old driver, Aisling Keogh, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm after striking a pedestrian, Paschal Walsh, in Rathfarnham on 29 December 2015. Keogh had been driving at 43 km/h, within the 50 km/h limit, and applied her brakes when she first saw the man. She left the scene, tended to the injured man, called an ambulance and later reported the collision to Gardaí. CCTV and forensic analysis confirmed the circumstances. Walsh was taken to Tallaght Hospital, suffered a sore arm and ribs, was later put into an induced coma and died, but the court ruled his death was not a direct result of the collision. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Keogh to 125 hours of community service in lieu of a six‑month prison term, imposed a four‑year mandatory driving ban, and confirmed her suitability for community service.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Careless driver who caused serious harm to pedestrian is sentenced to community service. Charges or matters: careless driving causing serious harm in Rathfarnham on December 29, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 29, 2015 Incident
2018-04-09 Publication

Case subjects

Aisling Keogh

Convicted Person

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

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Credit: Collins) A driver whose failure to pay attention led to a serious collision with a man crossing the road has been sentenced to 125 hours of community service in lieu of a six month prison sentence. 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 previously 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 previously 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.