Courts / Clare / Report

Mother of roads victim motorcyclist shakes hand of driver

Date
2024-10-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Ennis

County
Clare

Summary

In a sentencing hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Annette Keane, mother of 34‑year‑old motorcyclist John Keane, delivered a victim impact statement after her son was killed in a collision with a car driven by Karl Ennis on 14 April 2021. Ennis pleaded guilty to careless driving. The court disqualified him from driving for three months and fined him €2,000. Judge Pauline Codd noted Ennis's lack of attention and the serious consequences of a momentary lapse, while also acknowledging the family's forgiving attitude. Ennis, who had no prior convictions, was cooperative with Gardaí and had retired after the incident. The hearing included testimony about the collision, Ennis's apology, and the family's profound loss. The judge extended legal aid for any appeal and directed the fine to be paid within 12 months.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mother of roads victim motorcyclist shakes hand of driver. Charges or matters: a charge of careless driving. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 14, 2021 Incident
2024-10-08 Publication

Why: She added that the court couldn't ignore the "very serious" consequences of a "momentary lapse" and that there had to be general deterrence because attention must be paid to one's driving and the behaviour of other road users. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Accused

Charges: a charge of careless driving (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Keane's parents, Annette and John Snr, along with other family members were present in court for the sentence hearing. "We don't wish any harm on the man who was driving the car.