Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for driver who ran over cyclist in fit of temper

Date
2019-11-25

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Sean Kearns, 33, was given a three‑year suspended sentence and ordered to pay €10,000 to Marcelo Valencia after he deliberately drove through Valencia on Drimnagh Road, Crumlin, on 27 August 2014. CCTV showed Kearns driving straight at the cyclist, who was cycling along the road when a car passed close to him. Kearns, who had previously admitted to driving the car, denied that he knocked Valencia down. Valencia suffered minor injuries and has since fully recovered. Kearns pleaded guilty to endangerment. The judge, Martin Nolan, described Kearns as "intemperate and reckless" and noted mitigating factors such as his good work history and efforts to improve. The sentence was suspended on conditions including payment of the €10,000 within two years. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for driver who ran over cyclist in fit of temper. Charges or matters: endangerment at Drimnagh Road, Crumlin on August 27, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 27, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
2019-11-25 Publication

Case subjects

Sean Kearns

Defendant

Charges: endangerment at Drimnagh Road, Crumlin on August 27, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Credit: Collins) A motorist who deliberately drove through a cyclist on a Dublin road after a "rush of blood to the head" has been given a three-year suspended sentence and ordered to pay his victim €10,000. He suspended the sentence on a number of conditions, including that Kearns pay Mr Valencia the sum of €10,000 within two years.