Courts / Dublin / Report
Family "will never forgive" visually impaired driver who caused mother's death
Summary
In a Dublin court, 42‑year‑old David Byrne, who has Type 2 Usher Syndrome, was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of 70‑year‑old Patricia Dunne on 16 October 2015. Byrne pleaded not guilty to the charge and to related offences of dishonestly inducing the National Driving Licence Service to issue a licence and making a false statement on insurance. The jury convicted him on all three charges. The court heard that Mrs Dunne was walking home with a shopping trolley when Byrne's car struck her, flinging her into the air before stopping. Byrne has no prior convictions. Judge Patricia Ryan remanded him on bail pending sentencing. The Dunne family, led by son John, expressed that they will never forgive Byrne for killing their mother, citing the lack of remorse and apology. Byrne's counsel requested leniency, noting his rehabilitation and the single accident in 20 years of driving with the disease.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Family "will never forgive" visually impaired driver who caused mother's death. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing their 70-year-old mother's death; dangerous driving causing the death of Mrs Dunne at Collins Avenue East, Killester in Dublin on October 16, 2015; dishonestly inducing the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) to issue him with a driving licence on September 30, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- October 16, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 30, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 16, 2015 Adjournment
- 2018-05-04 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: dangerous driving causing their 70-year-old mother's death; dangerous driving causing the death of Mrs Dunne at Collins Avenue East, Killester in Dublin on October 16, 2015; dishonestly inducing the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) to issue him with a driving licence on September 30, 2014 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Judge Patricia Ryan said she was going to consider the evidence and a psychological report and remanded Byrne on continuing bail until his sentence finalisation next Friday.; Judge Patricia Ryan said she was going to consider the evidence and a psychological report and remanded Byrne on continuing bail until his sentence finalisation next Friday.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Collins Avenue
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Byrne went to the garda station
Topics
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