Courts / Dublin / Report

Drivers must have "particular regard to vulnerability of cyclists", judge says

Date
2018-11-12

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A bus driver from Dublin has been convicted of careless driving causing death following a collision with a cyclist on Burlington Road in November 2014. Osborn Irabor, aged fifty-eight, had pleaded not guilty to the charge but was found guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The incident occurred when his double-decker bus struck Mary White as she cycled towards a T-junction. Ms White sustained traumatic head injuries and died two days later in hospital. Judge Francis Comerford emphasised that drivers must exercise particular regard for cyclists' vulnerability on roads. The court found that the bus cut the corner at the junction, placing the cyclist in a blind spot created by the wing mirror. The judge noted Irabor's previously unblemished safety record since joining Dublin Bus in two thousand and seven, and determined that imprisonment was not warranted. However, Irabor received a mandatory four-year driving disqualification, effective from January first, which will likely result in job loss.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Drivers must have "particular regard to vulnerability of cyclists", judge says. Charges or matters: careless driving causing the death of Mary White (55) on November 17, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 17, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
Christmas Incident
New Year's Day Incident
2018-11-12 Publication

Why: "There has to be particular regard for cyclists because of their vulnerability," he said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Osborn Irabor

Defendant

Charges: careless driving causing the death of Mary White (55) on November 17, 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: At a sentence hearing today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Francis Comerford heard that at around 9.40pm that night the double decker bus driven by Irabor struck Ms White.