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Unaccompanied learner driver goes on trial accused of causing serious harm to cyclist

Summary

Paulina Galantkiewicz, 34, of Belmount Park, Raheny, has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to cyclist Thames Aline Taveres. The incident occurred on 1 June 2018 at Oak Road, Clondalkin, when Galantkiewicz, a learner driver, was unaccompanied while driving to a job interview. Taveres, returning home from work at about 3.25 pm, was cycling without a helmet or high‑visibility jacket in the rain. Galantkiewicz was turning left at a T‑junction and failed to bring her vehicle to a complete stop, colliding with Taveres' bike. The collision sent the cyclist toward the front of the car, where she was struck and knocked from her bike, and the car then drove over her before stopping. Taveres was taken to Tallaght Hospital for serious injuries. Galantkiewicz admitted she was the driver, passed a roadside breathalyser test, and remained at the scene. Paulina Galantkiewicz pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Unaccompanied learner driver goes on trial accused of causing serious harm to cyclist. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Thames Aline Taveres at Oak Road, Clondalkin, on June 1, 2018; careless driving causing serious bodily injury, but that this plea of guilty is not acceptable to the State so she now stands trial before them on the more serious charge. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 1, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2021-09-22 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report