Courts / Kildare / Report
Hit-and-run driver "calmly" left scene
Summary
Paul Connolly, 37, of Cregg Court, Kilmeague, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to Michael Igoe (54) and Francis Dhala (19) on Coolmine Road, Coolmine, on 1 May 2018. Connolly, who was under the influence of cocaine and tablets the night before, drove his young child to school, mounted the footpath, hit Igoe and then Dhala, and left the scene calmly with a smashed windscreen. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drugs, possession of cannabis, failing to remain at the scene, failing to offer assistance, failing to alert Gardaí, and driving without insurance or a licence. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final 18 months of the sentence, citing Connolly's guilty plea, remorse, limited cooperation and long‑standing addiction issues. The sentence was back‑dated to 1 May 2018.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Hit-and-run driver "calmly" left scene. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Mr Igoe and Mr Dhala at Coolmine Road, Coolmine on May 1, 2018; driving under the influence of drugs; possession of cannabis; failing to remain at the scene; failing to offer assistance; failing to alert gardaí; as well as driving without insurance or a driving licence on the same occasion. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 1, 2018 Incident
- May 1 Other
- 2019-05-03 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Mr Igoe and Mr Dhala at Coolmine Road, Coolmine on May 1, 2018; driving under the influence of drugs; possession of cannabis; failing to remain at the scene; failing to offer assistance; failing to alert gardaí; as well as driving without insurance or a driving licence on the same occasion (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final 18 months of the sentence giving Connolly credit for his guilty plea, his remorse and his limited cooperation.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence
Related court reports
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- 'Merciful approach': man who sexually assaulted girl (14) a year after defiling her won't face any extra jail time
- Museum employee charged with possessing bomb tells court he wants to reapply for bail 'at earliest chance'
- Explosive device allegedly stored in National Museum at Collins' Barracks
- Journalist 'victimised and penalised' by animal rescue charity, solicitor says
- Fraudster jailed for conning over €50k from elderly woman for garden work
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request