Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for driver who ran red light and struck 6-year-old girl, breaking her leg

Date
2015-11-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In 2015, 19‑year‑old Martin Joyce was jailed for one year and banned from driving for four years after he ran a red light at a pedestrian crossing on Malahide Road, Dublin, and struck six‑year‑old Jennifer Casey. Joyce's van threw Casey into the air, fracturing her femur and causing abdominal injuries. Casey was initially in a wheelchair for weeks and later recovered physically, though she and her family reported ongoing nightmares and fear of roads. Joyce had previously been convicted for leaving the scene of an earlier accident. The court cited his failure to remain at the scene as a gravely aggravating factor, imposing a two‑year custodial sentence with the final year suspended. He was also disqualified from driving for four years. The case highlighted the serious impact of dangerous driving on a child victim and her family.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for driver who ran red light and struck 6-year-old girl, breaking her leg. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Jennifer Casey at the Malahide Road, Coolock on the evening of December 17, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 29 Other
November 15, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
December 17, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
Christmas Other
2015-11-20 Publication

Case subjects

Martin Joyce

Background Person

Charges: dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Jennifer Casey at the Malahide Road, Coolock on the evening of December 17, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan said it was a "gravely aggravating factor" that Joyce left the scene and said it was for this reason that he was imposing a custodial sentence. The judge imposed a two year sentence with the final one suspended and disqualified Joyce from driving for four years from today.