Courts / Dublin / Report

Young driver who ran red light and caused death of pedestrian has driving ban cut

Summary

Letitia Barry, 23, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, causing the death of John Byrne, 39, at a pedestrian crossing in Rush on 7 June 2019. Barry was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, fully suspended, and received a six‑year driving ban at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The Court of Appeal found that the interpretation of the law for first‑time careless driving offenders had not been properly applied, and that a mandatory four‑year ban should not automatically apply when the offender has no prior convictions. The appeal argued that the judge had not explained the basis for the six‑year ban and that the statutory ban should have been four years. The Court of Appeal therefore quashed the six‑year ban and substituted a four‑year driving ban, citing the tragic circumstances of the case.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Young driver who ran red light and caused death of pedestrian has driving ban cut. Charges or matters: driving a car without due care and attention, causing the death of John Byrne at a pedestrian crossing at Whitestown Road, in Rush, Co Dublin on June 7, 2019. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• June 7, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 23, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2023-05-25 Publication

Why: Mr Staunton said there had been no explanation by the trial judge on the reason for the six-year suspension. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report