Courts / Dublin / Report

Driver who entered bus lane and fatally hit pedestrian gets suspended sentence

Date
2023-06-12
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Carl Scully, aged 34, was driving in a bus lane on Finglas Road at 132 km/h before slowing to 53.3–63.8 km/h and entered the lane five metres early. He struck Anthony Hanney, 61, who was crossing the road toward his home with groceries. Hanney died instantly. Scully pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death. The court noted his 15 prior District Court convictions and two earlier traffic offences. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a headline sentence of 10 months, suspended for six months, and ordered Scully to keep the peace for one year. He received an 18‑month driving disqualification, though he had already voluntarily stopped driving. The decision reflected Scully's remorse, the lack of emergency braking, and the absence of intoxication or phone use at the time of the collision. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 June 2023.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Driver who entered bus lane and fatally hit pedestrian gets suspended sentence. Charges or matters: careless driving causing the death of Mr Hanney at Finglas Road on December 12, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Carl Scully (34) was driving in the bus lane in order to take an upcoming turn when he struck Anthony Hanney (61) as he crossed the road towards his home with his groceries. CNI source report

Case subjects

Carl Scully

Defendant

Charges: careless driving causing the death of Mr Hanney at Finglas Road on December 12, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Photo: Collins) A driver who was travelling at 132km per hour shortly before he slowed to between 53.3 and 63.8 km/ph and entered a bus lane five metres before it was permitted, leading to a fatal collision with a pedestrian crossing the road, has been given a suspended sentence for careless driving. She imposed a six-month suspended sentence and ordered him to be of good behaviour and keep the peace for one year.; The case had been adjourned for a number of weeks so a psychiatric report could be completed.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
  • Glenhill Road
Journey Or Route
  • Finglas Road
Incident
  • Glenhill estate

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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