Courts / Dublin / Report
Repeat offender who broke red light and caused death of elderly woman is jailed
Summary
Philip Ormond, 43, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for dangerous driving that caused the death of Kathleen Furlong, an elderly woman, on 8 September 2023. Ormond was driving 18 km/h over the speed limit when he ran a red light at the R136 junction in Tallaght, striking Furlong as she crossed the road. He fled the scene, later changing clothes and covering his car's registration plates with black plastic bags. The court heard evidence that he had a long opportunity to see the red light and that he deliberately chose to drive dangerously. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and leaving the scene. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the sentence, disqualified Ormond from driving for six years, and noted his remorse but highlighted the aggravating factors of speed, failure to obey the light and leaving the scene.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Repeat offender who broke red light and caused death of elderly woman is jailed. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing death to Ms Furlong on September 8, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 8, 2023 Incident
- 2025-07-10 Publication
Why: His defence counsel said a letter from Senator Lynn Ruane was before the court, because counsel said she feels the need to offer support to Ormond. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: dangerous driving causing death to Ms Furlong on September 8, 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A repeat driving offender who was speeding when he ran a red light and knocked down an elderly woman as she was crossing the road, causing her death, before fleeing the scene has been jailed for four years and three months. They said his behaviour demonstrated "a reckless disregard for human life" and how he had mowed their mother down. "He imposed a death penalty on our mother and a life sentence on us until our dying breath," the statement said, before they added that Ormond "must be accountable for the life lost and the lives impacted".; Judge Nolan adjourned the case overnight to consider it.
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