Courts / Cork / Report

Teen who knocked down and left toddler with serious injuries appeals sentence

Date
2020-10-30

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

A teenager has appealed to the Court of Appeal against his four-year effective sentence for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. The accused, who was 17 at the time of the incident in March 2019, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving a dangerously defective vehicle, failing to stop, failing to keep his vehicle at the scene, failing to report the incident to gardai, and driving without insurance or a licence. He was sentenced last year to six years' detention, with the final two years suspended, and received a 20-year driving disqualification. The court heard that the toddler victim suffered a life-long brain injury and multiple fractures. The appellant's counsel argued that the sentencing judge failed to adequately consider mitigating factors, his youth, and the potential for rehabilitation, while the State maintained the sentence was appropriate. The matter was adjourned as the Court of Appeal reserved its judgment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen who knocked down and left toddler with serious injuries appeals sentence. Charges or matters: driving a dangerously defective vehicle, failing to stop, failing to keep his vehicle at the scene of an incident, failing to report the incident to gardai and driving without insurance or licence. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

March 25th, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
2020-10-30 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Convicted Person

Charges: driving a dangerously defective vehicle, failing to stop, failing to keep his vehicle at the scene of an incident, failing to report the incident to gardai and driving without insurance or licence (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The Cork youth was sentenced last year, having pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to the toddler, who was left with a life-long brain injury. He sentenced him to six years detention, but suspended the final two years.