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Dental nurse left scene after knocking down schoolgirl

Summary

A dental nurse, Ruth Kavanagh, was given a suspended sentence after she broke a red light and knocked down a Leaving Cert student who was walking to school. Kavanagh, who was driving her usual route to work, failed to stop and assist the injured student. The student suffered serious injuries, including broken bones in her foot, and missed two weeks of school. Kavanagh later admitted to the incident and expressed remorse. She had a sum of €5,000 in court as a token of her remorse. The court heard that Kavanagh has a 10-year-old child and is now pregnant with her second child. She has worked as a dental nurse for nine years. The judge imposed a 15-month suspended sentence on the condition that Kavanagh keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years. The €5,000 was ordered to be paid to the victim. Ruth Kavanagh pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dental nurse left scene after knocking down schoolgirl. Charges or matters: one count of careless driving causing serious bodily harm in Dublin on October 18, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 18, 2022 Incident
• 2025-12-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report