Courts / Louth / Report

Former boxing champ tried "pinning responsibility" for crash on seriously injured victim

Date
2019-02-18

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dundalk

County
Louth

Summary

The Court of Appeal re-sentenced Sean Ward, a former All Ireland boxing champion, to six years' imprisonment with the final nine months suspended, following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Ward, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Natasha Keenan and driving without insurance in Dundalk in 2015, had previously received a six-year sentence with two years suspended. The court found his effective four-year term unduly lenient, noting he was driving while disqualified and had 68 prior convictions. President Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Ms Justice Mary Irvine and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, stated Ward's prior record did not justify a significant suspended element. The court noted Ward initially provided a false account to gardaí, attempting to pin responsibility on the victim, and showed little empathy in his probation report. Ms Keenan suffered catastrophic injuries, including broken bones and skin grafting, and remains disabled. Ward was required to enter a good behaviour bond for the suspended period and two years post-release. Ward's own appeal against the severity of his sentence was withdrawn during the proceedings.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former boxing champ tried "pinning responsibility" for crash on seriously injured victim. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Natasha Keenan (29) as well as driving with no insurance at Carnbeg, Dundalk on October 3, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

October 3, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
May 17, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
2019-02-18 Publication

Why: Ms Keenan had to spend a month in isolation, in order to reduce the risk of infection, which deprived her of the company of her baby. CNI source report

Case subjects

All Ireland

Appellant

Outcome: All Ireland boxing champion was sentenced to six years imprisonment with the final two years suspended by Judge Michael O'Shea on May 17, 2018.

Sean Ward

Appellant

Charges: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Natasha Keenan (29) as well as driving with no insurance at Carnbeg, Dundalk on October 3, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He said Ward's prior record, including the fact he was driving while disqualified, did not suggest he was a suitable candidate for a sentence with a significant suspended element. Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Ms Justice Mary Irvine and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, re-sentenced Ward to six years imprisonment with the final nine months suspended.