Courts / Dublin / Report

Repeat roads offender avoids jail for knocking down supermarket customer

Date
2025-11-21
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Fergal Doherty, a repeat offender with a history of road traffic violations, avoided jail after reversing into a supermarket customer, causing a fractured elbow. Doherty pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm in Dalkey, where he had a blood alcohol level just below the legal limit. CCTV footage showed him reversing into the victim, who was walking through the car park. Doherty, who has 20 previous convictions, including 15 for road offenses, was disqualified from driving for two years and received a ten-month suspended sentence. The court acknowledged his guilty plea and the fact that his alcohol level was under the legal limit, but noted the need for him to take greater care while driving. The victim did not prepare a victim impact statement, and the court emphasized the importance of safe driving practices.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Repeat roads offender avoids jail for knocking down supermarket customer. Charges or matters: careless driving causing serious bodily harm in SuperValu, Dalkey on June 10, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Fergal Doherty

Defendant

Charges: careless driving causing serious bodily harm in SuperValu, Dalkey on June 10, 2024 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Imposing sentence yesterday, Judge Nolan noted Doherty's history of convictions for driving offences. He imposed a sentence of ten months, suspended on strict conditions.

Places mentioned

Residence
  • Seafield Road
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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