Courts / Dublin / Report

Elderly driver (88) avoids jail for reversing over woman, causing serious injuries

Date
2023-01-18
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Mary Magowan, 88, was given a one‑year suspended sentence after she reversed her car in Stillorgan Shopping Centre's overflow carpark and drove over Suzanne Brennan, who was walking behind her vehicle. Magowan knocked Brennan to the ground and continued reversing at speed, striking her again while she lay on the ground. The car then crashed into a parked vehicle and railings before stopping. Brennan suffered a broken pelvis, dislocated shoulder, multiple fractures to her right arm, nerve damage to both arms, broken ribs, and a torn bladder, requiring seven weeks of hospital treatment and ongoing care. Magowan pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious injury on 18 October 2021. She surrendered her licence after the incident. The judge, citing her remorse, lack of prior convictions and immediate licence surrender, imposed a suspended one‑year term, disqualified her from driving for three years, and did not order custodial imprisonment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Elderly driver (88) avoids jail for reversing over woman, causing serious injuries. Charges or matters: careless driving causing serious injury on October 18, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: She has endured a lot of pain and suffering because of this accident," Judge Nolan said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Mary Magowan

Defendant

Charges: careless driving causing serious injury on October 18, 2021 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Photo: Collins) An elderly woman who drove over a pedestrian who was walking behind her car, causing her serious injuries including a broken pelvis, has been given a one-year suspended sentence. He suspended a one year term of imprisonment on strict conditions and disqualified Magowan from driving for three years.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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