Courts / Dublin / Report
Truck driver gets suspended sentence for causing death of cyclist
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, truck driver David Morrissey, aged 29, received a nine‑month suspended sentence for careless driving that caused the death of 19‑year‑old cyclist Harry Boland on 18 April 2018. The incident occurred at the junction of Greenfield Park and Stillorgan Road when the traffic lights turned green and Morrissey turned left, placing Boland under his large DAF truck. Despite early medical response, Boland was pronounced dead at St Vincent's Hospital. The prosecution argued that Boland was visible from the truck's cab and should have been seen via the truck's wide‑angle mirrors. Morrissey denied seeing Boland, claiming he had checked his mirrors. The judge noted no aggravating factors such as intoxication, speeding or mobile phone use, and imposed a fully suspended nine‑month custodial sentence, a five‑year disqualification, and no additional penalties. The sentence reflected Morrissey's lack of prior convictions and his cooperation with the investigation. David Morrissey pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Truck driver gets suspended sentence for causing death of cyclist. Charges or matters: driving without due care and attention thereby causing the death of 19-year-old Harry Boland at the junction of Greenfield Park and the Stillorgan Road on April 18, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- April 18, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-07-26 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: driving without due care and attention thereby causing the death of 19-year-old Harry Boland at the junction of Greenfield Park and the Stillorgan Road on April 18, 2018 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; She imposed a nine-month sentence which she suspended in full, having noted that the maximum penalty in the case is two years. Judge Sheahan also disqualified Morrissey from driving for five years but said that the disqualification order is not to come into effect until October to allow Morrissey to be of assistance to his partner, who is due to have a baby in the coming months.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Stillorgan Road
- Stillorgan Road
- Greenfield Park
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- St Vincent's Hospital
- Greenfield Park
Topics
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