Courts / Dublin / Report

Driver who drank up to 15 pints and caused death of Callum Grimes has license restored, despite State objections

Date
2024-02-15

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Skerries

County
Dublin

Summary

In a decision on 15 February 2024, Judge Martin Nolan ruled that Derek Keane, aged 44, could have his driving licence restored after serving two‑thirds of a five‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence imposed in December 2019 for dangerous driving that caused the death of Callum Grimes, a 27‑year‑old man. Keane had been disqualified from driving for six years and had pleaded guilty to the offence and to failing to provide assistance at the scene. The judge noted that Keane had served the required portion of his sentence and described his behaviour as "disgraceful", yet acknowledged his desire to resume normal life. The State objected to the licence restoration, citing the seriousness of the offence and the distress caused to the Grimes family. The judge, while recognising the family's suffering, emphasised that the main part of Keane's sentence had been the prison term and that he had served his time.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Driver who drank up to 15 pints and caused death of Callum Grimes has license restored, despite State objections. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
December 27, 2016 Incident
July 13, 2017 Incident
2024-02-15 Publication

Why: The State had opposed the return of Keane's driving licence because of the serious nature of the offence and the great deal of distress it caused in Skerries at the time. CNI source report

Case subjects

Derek Keane

Defendant

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Derek Keane (44) for five and a half years and disqualified from driving for six years. However, Judge Nolan today said the main part of Keane's sentence had been the prison term and that he had served his time.