Courts / Dublin / Report

Drunk driver who had six disqualification orders is jailed for causing death of "true gentleman"

Date
2015-07-22

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Desmond Collopy, aged 29, was jailed for six and a half years after he killed 50‑year‑old Eamon Cronin while driving a Volkswagen Golf. Collopy had six active disqualification orders and had been drinking heavily that night, having consumed at least nine pints of lager and cocktails before driving. Witnesses said he was showing off and jerking the steering wheel, accelerating before striking Cronin, who had just crossed the road to break up a fight. Collopy left the scene, told passengers that a bottle had been thrown at his car, and later continued drinking at a B&B. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and failing to stop at the scene. The court also imposed a ten‑year driving disqualification. The judge noted that Collopy's actions showed "total contempt for road traffic law" and that he had caused the death of a "good Samaritan.".

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Drunk driver who had six disqualification orders is jailed for causing death of "true gentleman". Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing death at North Street, Swords on August 16, 2014; having no insurance, driving while disqualified and failing to stop his vehicle at the scene of an accident. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 16, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-07-22 Publication

Why: Because when I met him when I was younger he was the best man I could ever have met. CNI source report

Case subjects

Desmond Collopy

Defendant

Charges: dangerous driving causing death at North Street, Swords on August 16, 2014; having no insurance, driving while disqualified and failing to stop his vehicle at the scene of an accident (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He noted that Collopy shouldn't have been driving that night as he had been disqualified many times over and his actions showed "total contempt for road traffic law". "His actions have led to the death of a very good man. Many people in this court will be left with a great sorrow for a substantial period of time and he is responsible for that," Judge Nolan said before he jailed Collopy for six and half years and disqualified him from driving for ten years.