Courts / Cork / Report

Man may avoid jail after knocking down and killing 77 year old woman

Date
2015-03-05

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Douglas

County
Cork

Summary

Carl Feighery, 32, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing death after killing 77-year-old Rose Douglas in Finglas, Dublin 11, in January 2013. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the sentencing until May 5 to allow for a Probation Service report to determine Feighery's suitability for community service. The judge indicated that the driving did not justify a custodial sentence, describing the loss of focus as a human frailty rather than an aggravating circumstance like drink driving or excessive speed. Feighery was remanded on bail and disqualified from driving for five years. The court heard that Feighery had zero alcohol in his blood and was not speeding. The Douglas family, represented by Dermot Douglas, described the devastating impact of their mother's death, noting she was a community volunteer and church minister. Feighery, an electrician from Ashbourne, County Meath, expressed remorse and accepted full responsibility. He has one minor previous conviction and a 2007 drink-driving offense. The matter remains adjourned pending the probation report.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man may avoid jail after knocking down and killing 77 year old woman. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing death. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 9, 2013 Adjournment
May 5 Adjournment
June 2007 Incident
2015-03-05 Publication

Case subjects

Carl Feighery

Defendant

Charges: dangerous driving causing death (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the sentence until May to allow for a report from the Probation Service to determine if Feighery is suitable for community service. He remanded Feighery on bail, adjourned the case until May 5, next and disqualified him from driving for five years.; Today Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the sentence until May to allow for a report from the Probation Service to determine if Feighery is suitable for community service.