Courts / Dublin / Report

MS sufferer (61) who "should not have been driving" is jailed for killing pedestrian

Date
2019-12-18

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Rathfarnham

County
Dublin

Summary

Rosemarie Gallagher, 61, was jailed for two years after her convertible lost control, struck a tree, a stone wall and railings, then collided with Benjamin Renard, 24, and three other men on Adelaide Road, Dublin. The crash threw all four men into the air; Renard died 15 days later after life support was withdrawn. Gallagher pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving causing death and three charges of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. She had no prior convictions and had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 26 years earlier, though she was considered medically fit to drive. The court noted her condition may have contributed to loss of control and imposed a custodial sentence, disqualifying her from driving for three years. The three injured men suffered fractures and other injuries. The judge described the case as tragic and lamentable.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: MS sufferer (61) who "should not have been driving" is jailed for killing pedestrian. Charges or matters: one charge of dangerous driving causing death and three further charges of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm on Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 on August 22, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 22, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
June 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
October 2017 Other
April 2018 Other
June 2018 Other
Christmas Other
2019-12-18 Publication

Why: "Mrs Gallagher is guilty of my son's death because she knew she was sick, my son would still be alive. CNI source report

Case subjects

Rosemarie Gallagher

Defendant

Charges: one charge of dangerous driving causing death and three further charges of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm on Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 on August 22, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan said a custodial sentence was necessary and said the two year term would have been "considerably longer" had it not been for Gallagher's "present lamentable condition".