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Driver who killed motorcyclist after changing lanes avoids jail
Summary
John Tierney, aged 53, of Rockhouse, Gowna, County Cavan, received a fully suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to dangerous driving causing death. The collision occurred on the N4 motorway near Junction 3 in Lucan, County Dublin, on 10 December 2018, when Tierney's vehicle suddenly moved into a bus lane, striking the motorcycle of Stephen Fee, who was fatally injured. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a one-year custodial sentence, suspended in full, and disqualified Tierney from driving for eight years. The court heard that Tierney's vehicle had begun losing power due to a diesel particle filter issue, leading him to change lanes without ensuring the path was clear. Tierney had no previous convictions. The judge characterised the driving as a misjudgement rather than reckless behaviour, citing strong mitigating factors including Tierney's guilty plea, cooperation with gardaí, and significant health difficulties. Impact statements from the victim's family were read to the court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Driver who killed motorcyclist after changing lanes avoids jail. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing death at Junction 3 of the N4, Lucan, Co Dublin, on December 10, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 10, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-10-14 Publication
Why: She said when her mother explained that he had just been killed in a road traffic accident "I screamed out loud". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: dangerous driving causing death at Junction 3 of the N4, Lucan, Co Dublin, on December 10, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said that taken with the "excellent mitigation", Tierney does not deserve a custodial sentence. He sentenced Tierney to one years imprisonment, but suspended the sentence in full on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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