Courts / Galway / Report

Suspended sentence for drunk driver who crashed into nurse was "too lenient"

Date
2020-01-28

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Craughwell

County
Galway

Summary

Alan Craughwell (35) of Athlone, Co Westmeath, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm following a collision with a nurse on December 24, 2017 at Taghmaconnell, Co Roscommon. He had been travelling with more than twice the legal alcohol limit and narrowly missed six oncoming vehicles before striking the victim's car. The Circuit Court imposed a fully suspended two-and-a-half year sentence in May 2019. The Court of Appeal found this sentence unduly lenient and re-sentenced Craughwell to two-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final 15 months suspended. Mr Justice George Birmingham described the driving as "sustained, rank bad driving" rather than isolated poor judgement. The victim, a nurse, sustained serious injuries including fractured ankles and experienced significant disruption to her working life and family activities. Craughwell's ten-year driving ban remained in effect, and he was required to enter a good behaviour bond for the suspended portion of his sentence. Alan Craughwell had the case dismissed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for drunk driver who crashed into nurse was "too lenient". Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Michelle Fallon at Taghmaconnell, Co Roscommon on December 24, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Dismissed

When:

December 24, 2017 Other
May 8, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
September 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
Christmas Eve Other
Christmas Incident
2020-01-28 Publication

Case subjects

Alan Craughwell

Appellant

Charges: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Michelle Fallon at Taghmaconnell, Co Roscommon on December 24, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed; The Court of Appeal found Craughwell's sentence to have been "unduly lenient" today, and he was immediately jailed for 15 months. Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, re-sentenced Craughwell to two-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final 15 months suspended.