Courts / Dublin / Report

On-bail offender who left woman with fractured spine after head-on collision gets suspended sentence

Date
2025-11-24

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Lucan

County
Dublin

Summary

John Stokes, an on-bail offender, has received a fully suspended 12-month sentence for causing serious injury in a head-on collision. Stokes was driving at high speed on Lower Lucan Road, leading to a collision that left a woman with a fractured spine. He pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm and was on bail for another offense at the time. Judge Elma Sheahan noted that Stokes had failed to appear for sentencing and was on bail for another offense. Stokes has since been working and is engaging with therapeutic services. Conditions of the suspended sentence include engaging with probation services, providing urine analysis, and being disqualified from driving for 12 months. The court heard that Stokes was a learner driver and was not under the influence of intoxicants. Victim impact statements highlighted the physical and mental health struggles faced by the victims, with the woman who suffered spinal injuries having to change jobs and struggle with rent payments.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: On-bail offender who left woman with fractured spine after head-on collision gets suspended sentence. Charges or matters: one count of careless driving causing serious bodily harm to a woman in relation to the incident, which was accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on a full facts basis, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 2, 2021 Incident
2025-11-24 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed woman

Accused

Charges: one count of careless driving causing serious bodily harm to a woman in relation to the incident, which was accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on a full facts basis, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Photo: Collins) An on-bail offender who lost control of his car and smashed head-on into another vehicle, leaving one woman with a fractured spine, has been given a fully suspended sentence. Judge Sheahan imposed a 12-month sentence, which she suspended in full on strict conditions including that Stokes engage with the Probation Service for 12 months, provide urine analysis and engage with their addiction services.; She ordered a probation report, a GP report and a counselling report to be before the court for the adjourned date and placed Stokes under a good behaviour bond for six months.