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Uninsured driver gets suspended sentence for running over drunk man laying in road
Summary
John Fitzpatrick, 39, of The Gardens, Carrickmines Manor, Dublin, pleaded guilty to driving away from a car accident involving an injury, careless driving and driving without insurance after he ran over a drunk man who had been lying in the road on September 6, 2019. The victim, intoxicated after leaving a pub on Cork Street, was walking into oncoming traffic when a bus swerved away and Fitzpatrick, driving behind the bus, did not see him and struck him. Fitzpatrick's daughter screamed after the collision. He was uninsured and had 45 prior convictions, including 11 for road traffic offences and five for lack of insurance. He voluntarily returned to the scene the next day and admitted guilt. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to two years and four months' imprisonment, suspended in full for three years, and disqualified him from driving for 12 years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Uninsured driver gets suspended sentence for running over drunk man laying in road. Charges or matters: driving away from a car accident involving an injury, careless driving, and driving without insurance. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 6, 2019 Incident
- 2022-07-07 Publication
Why: The accused told gardaí he went back to the scene because "I couldn't live with myself not knowing if the guy was dead or not," the court heard. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: driving away from a car accident involving an injury, careless driving, and driving without insurance (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced John Fitzpatrick two years and four months, but suspended it in full for three years. She disqualified Fitzpatrick from driving for 12 years.
Places mentioned
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