Courts / Dublin / Report
Community service for careless driver who struck pedestrian in her 80s
Summary
Shirley Creighton, 49, of Derham Park, Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm after striking a woman in her late 80s who was crossing Bridge Street. The victim suffered a serious leg fracture, required surgery and skin grafts, and had her home adapted for independent living. CCTV showed the victim was halfway across the road when Creighton began her manoeuvre. Judge Dara Hayes, considering the seriousness of the offence, the victim's vulnerability, and Creighton's good character and post‑incident conduct, imposed a nine‑month custodial sentence but substituted it with 100 hours of community service to be completed within 12 months. Creighton had not driven for six months after the crash, had sold her car, and expressed remorse, with her family and local community holding her in high esteem. The court accepted her willingness to undertake community service and her request to retain her driving licence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Community service for careless driver who struck pedestrian in her 80s. Charges or matters: careless driving causing serious bodily harm on July 12, 2022, at Bridge Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 12, 2022 Incident
- 2024-12-18 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: careless driving causing serious bodily harm on July 12, 2022, at Bridge Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Hayes said a "more appropriate way" for Creighton to "repay her debt to society" would be community service. He directed Creighton to complete 100 hours of community service within the next 12 months in lieu of the nine-month sentence.
Places mentioned
- Derham Park
- Balbriggan
- Dublin
- Bridge Street
- Balbriggan
- Dublin
- Bridge Street
Topics
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