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Driver with vision disorder appeals conviction for causing death of pedestrian (70)
Summary
David Byrne, 43, of Kilcullen, was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of 70‑year‑old Patricia Dunne on Collins Avenue East, Killester, on 16 October 2015. He also pleaded not guilty to dishonestly inducing the National Driving Licence Service to issue a licence and to making a false statement while taking out insurance. A jury found him guilty on all three counts and Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to five years' imprisonment on 11 May 2018. Byrne has Type 2 Usher Syndrome, a degenerative eye disorder that causes peripheral vision loss. During the trial the court heard that Dunne was walking home with a shopping trolley, began to cross the road, a van slowed to allow her, but Byrne's car struck her, flinging her into the air before stopping. Byrne has now moved to appeal his conviction in the Court of Appeal, where judgment is reserved.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Driver with vision disorder appeals conviction for causing death of pedestrian (70). Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Patricia Dunne (70) 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 and making a false or misleading statement while taking out insurance. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- October 16, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 11, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-07-05 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of Patricia Dunne (70) 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 and making a false or misleading statement while taking out insurance (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; He was found guilty by a jury on all three counts and sentenced to five years imprisonment by Judge Patricia Ryan on May 11, 2018.
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