Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for motorist who knocked down cyclist, causing him serious head injuries

Date
2015-06-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Kenneth O'Farrell, 33, received a suspended two‑year sentence for dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to cyclist Marcin Maciejewski on the N81 Tallaght Bypass. O'Farrell broke a filter light, turned right and struck Maciejewski, who was thrown onto his windscreen. Maciejewski sustained severe head injuries requiring 60 stitches and surgery, along with broken hands, a dislocated elbow, and cuts to his back and elbow. An eyewitness, who helped the victim at the scene, contradicted O'Farrell's claim that the cyclist "came out of nowhere" and that he had seen the cyclist. CCTV supported the witness's account. O'Farrell pleaded guilty; the judge found no evidence of speeding or drunkenness, citing inattention and failure to concentrate. He was disqualified from driving for four years and the sentence was suspended on strict conditions. The victim impact report was not read out. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for motorist who knocked down cyclist, causing him serious head injuries. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm at the N81 Tallaght Bypass at the junction with the Fortunestown Road on June 15, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 15, 2014 Incident
2015-06-17 Publication

Case subjects

Kenneth O'Farrell

Defendant

Charges: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm at the N81 Tallaght Bypass at the junction with the Fortunestown Road on June 15, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan imposed a two year sentence which he suspended in full on strict conditions and disqualified O'Farrell from driving for four years.