Courts / Dublin / Report

Boy trapped under truck's wheels on walk to school

Date
2020-09-29

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joseph Coughlan, 60, was tried for careless driving that caused serious harm to a five‑year‑old boy who was trapped under a truck's front wheel while walking to school with his family. The incident occurred on 16 February 2016 near Sweeney Mews, Ongar, when Coughlan was turning into a delivery bay. Witnesses described the boy lying between the truck's wheels and the mother's shock. Coughlan pleaded not guilty to one count of driving without due care or attention. He was breath‑tested and found negative for alcohol, and the truck was in good condition. The boy spent 23 days in intensive care, required ventilation, surgery and skin grafting, and has permanent abdominal scarring. The trial is ongoing before Judge Pauline Codd and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Boy trapped under truck's wheels on walk to school. Charges or matters: one count of driving without due care or attention, causing serious bodily harm to the child at Sweeney Mews, Ongar, Dublin 15 on February 16, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 16, 2016 Incident
2020-09-29 Publication

Case subjects

Joseph Coughlan

Defendant

Charges: one count of driving without due care or attention, causing serious bodily harm to the child at Sweeney Mews, Ongar, Dublin 15 on February 16, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty