Courts / Meath / Report

Hit-and-run driver who caused death of boy (14) wants license restored

Date
2026-01-28
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dunshaughlin
County
Meath

Summary

A hit-and-run driver, Ruadhan Tracey, who was banned from driving for 20 years after causing the death of a 14-year-old boy in 2011, has applied to a court for the restoration of his license. Tracey, 44, received a 20-month jail sentence in 2014 for careless driving causing the death of Conor Hickey and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. The court heard that Tracey had borrowed his girlfriend's car and was driving with a friend to buy heroin when the incident occurred. The victim, Conor Hickey, was struck by the car and died the following day. Tracey admitted to taking his eyes off the road and driving off because he had no license or insurance. The victim's family and gardaĆ­ are opposed to the restoration of his license. Tracey, representing himself, asked the court to grant his application, stating he had not been in trouble since 2018 and had been offered a job. The case was adjourned to February 3, with the court asking for relevant case law to be presented. Ruadhan Tracey pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Hit-and-run driver who caused death of boy (14) wants license restored. Charges or matters: careless driving causing the death of Conor Hickey at Faussagh Road, in Cabra, on December 2, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: He said he had taken methadone that day and the reason he drove off was because he had no licence or insurance. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ruadhan Tracey

Defendant

Charges: careless driving causing the death of Conor Hickey at Faussagh Road, in Cabra, on December 2, 2011 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Ruadhan Tracey (44) of Lagore Green, Dunshaughlin, Meath, received a 20-month jail sentence in 2014 after he pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing the death of Conor Hickey at Faussagh Road, in Cabra, on December 2, 2011. At that 2014 sentence hearing, then Judge Mary Ellen Ring said she was bound by legislation before she imposed the prison term and disqualified Tracey from driving for 20 years.; Judge Crowe adjourned the case to February 3, next and asked Mr Le Vert to open the relevant case law before the court on that date.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Journey Or Route
  • Faussagh Road
Address Area
  • Temple Street
Facility
  • Temple Street Children's Hospital

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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