Courts / Dublin / Report
Van driver struck infant in buggy
Summary
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Fred Davis, 42, received a suspended six‑month prison sentence for driving without due care and attention, causing serious harm to a one‑year‑old infant. On 21 June 2017, while operating his work van on the Malahide Road in Coolock, Davis failed to observe a red pedestrian light at a crossing. A mother, with a green light for pedestrians, was pushing her buggy across the road when the van struck the buggy, fracturing the child's skull and ribs. The infant spent 13 days in hospital and has since recovered. Davis, a painter and decorator with no prior convictions, pleaded guilty. The judge, citing the child's severe injuries and Davis's remorse, imposed a four‑year driving disqualification and a suspended six‑month custodial term, noting that the maximum penalty for the offence is two years. The victim remains unnamed in accordance with the Children Act.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Van driver struck infant in buggy. Charges or matters: driving without due care and attention thereby causing serious harm to the child. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 21, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-03-02 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: driving without due care and attention thereby causing serious harm to the child (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said that, given the sincerity of the remorse felt by Davis, she did not see how the principle of deterrence could be served in any way by a custodial sentence. She set a sentence of six months but suspended this.
Places mentioned
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