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'What am I after doing?': Getaway driver who killed woman out walking

Summary

Darren Rowe, 35, of Monkstown, Dublin, was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline McGovern and failing to report being the driver of a vehicle involved in the injury of Audrey Behan on March 10, 2020. He also admitted to having no insurance and driving a dangerous defective vehicle. Judge Martin Nolan noted aggravating factors, including Rowe's reckless speed, use of a defective vehicle, and evidence of prior drinking, alongside his 32 previous convictions and disqualification from driving. In mitigation, the court considered Rowe's remorse and insight. Co-accused Edward Andrews, 26, of Stepaside, received a 39-month sentence in October. The incident occurred when Rowe, fleeing a robbery in Dalkey, lost control of the car, mounted a footpath, and struck the two women. Rowe fled the scene without offering assistance. Victim impact statements highlighted the profound loss and ongoing trauma suffered by the families. The court accepted Rowe's guilty plea and imposed the custodial sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'What am I after doing?': Getaway driver who killed woman out walking. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline McGovern and failing to report being the driver of a vehicle involved in the occurrence of injury to Audrey Behan at Avondale Road, Killiney on March 10, 2020; having no insurance and driving a dangerous defective vehicle. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 10, 2020 Other
• March 18th Incident
• 2020-12-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report