Courts / Longford / Report

Van driver who hit cyclist causing severe brain trauma is jailed for one year

Date
2015-11-30

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Longford

Summary

A 21-year-old man from Longford has been sentenced to one year in custody at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a dangerous driving incident in Blanchardstown, Dublin on August 2nd, 2013. Dylan Meade of An Cussan, Lisbrack Road pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm, failing to remain at the scene, driving without a valid licence and driving without insurance. The court heard that Meade struck a cyclist at approximately 57 kilometres per hour, causing severe brain trauma and four months of amnesia. Judge Catherine Murphy imposed a three and a half year sentence with two and a half years suspended, subject to strict conditions including probation supervision, abstinence from alcohol and drugs, and attendance at mental health appointments. The judge noted that non-compliance would result in activation of the suspended portion. The cyclist, who suffered significant neurological injury, submitted a victim impact statement describing the profound effect on his family and future prospects.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Van driver who hit cyclist causing severe brain trauma is jailed for one year. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing serious harm, failing to stop after an accident, driving without a licence and driving without insurance at the Ongar Distribution Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin on August 2, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 2, 2013 Other
2015-11-30 Publication

Why: He told gardaí that he took over driving from his brother in law because he was "out of his head on pills. CNI source report

Case subjects

Dylan Meade

Defendant

Charges: dangerous driving causing serious harm, failing to stop after an accident, driving without a licence and driving without insurance at the Ongar Distribution Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin on August 2, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Catherine Murphy imposed a three and a half year sentence with the final two and a half years suspended on strict conditions which include probation supervision, abstinence from drug and alcohol use and attending all scheduled mental health appointments. She said the sentence may appear light to the family of the victim but told them that if Meade did not comply with the conditions of the suspended portion of the sentence it would be activated.