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Disqualified driver who caused mum's legs to be crushed in crash with hijacked car is jailed
Summary
Gareth Kenna, 35, was jailed for five years after hijacking a Honda Jazz and driving it dangerously while disqualified. He crashed sideways into Laura Mahony's car on Hearse Road, Donabate, on 10 October 2014, crushing her legs and trapping her and her son inside. Kenna pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, two counts of attempted hijacking and one count of hijacking. He had 98 prior convictions, including 14 for dangerous driving, and had been disqualified for 20 years. Mahony spent eight days in hospital and underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries. Kenna's early guilty plea and remorse were noted, but the fact he seized a car and drove it while disqualified were considered severe aggravating factors. The judge imposed a five‑year custodial sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Disqualified driver who caused mum's legs to be crushed in crash with hijacked car is jailed. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Ms Mahony at Hearse Road, Donabate on October 10, 2014; two counts of attempted hijacking and one count of hijacking a vehicle at Donabate Golf Club, New Road, Donabate on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 10, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-10-23 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Ms Mahony at Hearse Road, Donabate on October 10, 2014; two counts of attempted hijacking and one count of hijacking a vehicle at Donabate Golf Club, New Road, Donabate on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He took into account Kenna's remorse and early guilty plea, but said the fact he seized a car and drove it dangerously while disqualified were "severe aggravating factors".
Places mentioned
- Whitechapel Avenue
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Hearse Road
- Donabate
- New Road
Topics
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