Courts / Dublin / Report
Man whose careless driving caused friend's death spared jail
Summary
Lea Peacock, 25, of Rush, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing the death of Jane Dardis at Rush Road, Skerries, on October 25, 2016. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Peacock to a nine-month suspended sentence and disqualified him from driving for five years. The judge concluded Peacock did not deserve a custodial sentence, noting the accused had no previous convictions, was remorseful, and had cooperated with gardai. Judge Nolan found the explanation that Peacock swerved to avoid a pedestrian to be unbelievable, instead attributing the swerve to the interplay between the driver and the front-seat passenger. The court heard Peacock had consumed four glasses of wine and was travelling at 80km/h in a 60km/h zone. In mitigation, counsel highlighted Peacock's remorse and lack of intentional wrongdoing. The judge expressed condolences to the deceased's family, who described themselves as devastated. The maximum penalty for the offence is two years' imprisonment. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the suspended sentence and driving disqualification.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man whose careless driving caused friend's death spared jail. Charges or matters: careless driving causing the death of Ms Dardis at Rush Road, Skerries on October 25, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 25, 2016 Incident
- 2018-04-13 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: careless driving causing the death of Ms Dardis at Rush Road, Skerries on October 25, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) A man charged with careless driving causing the death of his close friend has been given a nine month suspended sentence. Judge Nolan concluded Peacock did not deserve a custodial sentence and imposed a nine month suspended sentence.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man who raped and abused younger cousin as a teenager 40 years ago is jailed
- Woman fears abusive ex-partner's 'next victim may not survive', court hears
- Five years for man who killed pensioner with 'MMA' back spin kick
- Young man who killed pensioner with 'MMA' back spin kick remanded in custody
- Young man killed pensioner with 'back spin kick like MMA'
- Man who attacked and threatened pregnant partner is jailed for two years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request