Courts / Dublin / Report
Judge urges motorists to 'take that second look' for cyclists
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Pauline Codd fined 53‑year‑old Karen Cohalan €4,000 and imposed a four‑year driving disqualification after she pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm to 25‑year‑old Aengus Cunningham. Cohalan, a chartered accountant and mother of two, had a "momentary lapse" when she turned right at a busy junction on South Lotts Road, Ringsend, on 20 March 2019, without indicating and failing to look out for a cyclist travelling in the same direction. The collision left Cunningham with a head injury, 50 % deafness in one ear and loss of smell. Judge Codd noted the incident was a split‑second lapse, considered Cohalan's impeccable character and genuine remorse, and said the sentence served a general deterrent by urging motorists to "take that second look" for cyclists. The court heard Cohalan accepted full responsibility, and Cunningham's victim impact statement described the life‑changing effects of the injuries.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge urges motorists to 'take that second look' for cyclists. Charges or matters: careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Aengus Cunningham (25) at South Lotts Road, Ringsend on March 20, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 20, 2019 Incident
- 2020-10-30 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Aengus Cunningham (25) at South Lotts Road, Ringsend on March 20, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: During the sentence hearing, the court heard Cohalan accepted full responsibility for the accident.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Port View
- Thorncastle Street
- Dublin
- South Lotts Road
Topics
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