Courts / Dublin / Report

Van driver fined €500 for careless driving causing death of 70-year-old nun

Summary

Maurice Sheehy, a 43-year-old van driver from Raheny, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing the death of Sister Helen Power. The incident occurred on August 7, 2013, on the Tallaght bypass of the N81. Prosecutors stated that Sister Power crossed the road at the Old Bawn junction while pedestrian lights were red and without looking for traffic. A witness described her as appearing to be in a trance. Garda Bridget Malone testified that Sheehy was driving well below the 80 kph speed limit, was not distracted, and had recently passed his NCT. She alleged that Sheehy made a failure of observation to see the victim. In mitigation, defense counsel Paul Greene, SC, noted that Sheehy was distraught after the impact, asking bystanders if the victim was alive. The court heard that Sheehy subsequently attended Sister Power's funeral and met with her religious order, who served as her family. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Sheehy to a fine of €500. The judge opted not to disqualify him from driving, stating it would be a major punishment on his family, as Sheehy works night shifts to care for his five-year-old daughter. Judge Nolan acknowledged that while Sister Power was in a world of her own, there was some failure on Sheehy's part to avoid the incident, even though it was not of his own creation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Van driver fined €500 for careless driving causing death of 70-year-old nun. Charges or matters: careless driving causing the death of Sister Helen Power on the Tallaght bypass of the N81 on August 7, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 7, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-03-10 Publication

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Read the original CNI report