Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge directs truck driver be acquitted of causing serious harm to schoolboy

Date
2020-09-30

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Pauline Codd acquitted 60‑year‑old truck driver Joseph Coughlan of a charge of careless driving causing serious harm to a five‑year‑old schoolboy. The judge found the prosecution case to be speculative and lacking evidence of careless driving. Coughlan had pleaded not guilty to one count of driving without due care or attention and causing serious bodily harm. The incident occurred on 16 February 2016 when Coughlan was turning into a delivery bay at Sweeney Mews, Ongar, and a child was briefly trapped under the front wheel of his truck. The boy spent 23 days in intensive care and has made an excellent recovery, though he has permanent abdominal scarring. The judge thanked the jury and formally acquitted Coughlan.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge directs truck driver be acquitted of causing serious harm to schoolboy. Charges or matters: one count of driving without due care or attention and 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
2020-09-30 Publication

Case subjects

Joseph Coughlan

Accused

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

Plea: Not guilty