Courts / Dublin / Report

Priest (93) who mowed down mourners, killing one man, gets suspended sentence

Date
2023-04-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Fr Foley, a 93-year-old retired priest, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to driving a vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public. The charges related to an incident on June 25, 2018, outside the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin, where his vehicle struck mourners, causing the death of Christopher Phillips and grievous bodily harm to Jason Kelly, Martin Cawley, and Rebecca Meredith. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged the tragic consequences, noting that the driver's confusion and lack of experience with the hybrid vehicle led to the loss of control. However, the Judge determined that Fr Foley did not deserve a custodial sentence, citing his advanced age, current residence in a nursing home, and the fact that he will not drive again. Consequently, the court imposed concurrent sentences of 18 months, which were suspended in full. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence, reflecting the Judge's view that the defendant's circumstances warranted a non-custodial disposal despite the severe injuries and death caused.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Priest (93) who mowed down mourners, killing one man, gets suspended sentence. Charges or matters: driving a vehicle in a manner which was dangerous to the public and thereby causing the death of Christopher Phillips and causing grievous body harm to Jason Kelly, Martin Cawley and Rebecca Meredith on June 25, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 2018 Other
June 25, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-04-17 Publication

Case subjects

Fr Foley

Defendant

Charges: driving a vehicle in a manner which was dangerous to the public and thereby causing the death of Christopher Phillips and causing grievous body harm to Jason Kelly, Martin Cawley and Rebecca Meredith on June 25, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He said however that Fr Foley did not deserve a custodial sentence. "He will not drive again. Whatever time that is left to him he will probably spend in a nursing home," Judge Nolan said before he imposed concurrent sentences of 18 months which he suspended in full.