Courts / Dublin / Report
Delivery driver caused death of 83-year-old in 'momentary lapse in concentration'
Summary
A delivery driver who caused the death of an 83-year-old man in a supermarket car park during a 'momentary lapse in concentration' has been given a fully suspended sentence. Colm Rooney, 54, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, resulting in the death of Thomas Leeson. Dashcam footage showed Mr Leeson being hit by the van and suffering fatal injuries. Rooney was driving at 12km/h and had no alcohol or drugs in his system. The court heard that Mr Leeson was a devoted family man and had worked as a truck driver for over 40 years. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the impact on the family and the mitigating factors, including Rooney's guilty plea and good character. She sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for nine months, and disqualified him from driving for two years. Rooney expressed remorse and cooperated fully with the investigation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Delivery driver caused death of 83-year-old in 'momentary lapse in concentration'. Charges or matters: one count of driving a vehicle without due care and attention, thereby causing the death of Thomas Leeson, at Roselawn Shopping Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin, on December 7, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 7, 2024 Incident
- 2026-05-08 Publication
Why: He no longer works as a driver but is still employed by the supermarket, which he described as significant because it shows that his employers trust him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of driving a vehicle without due care and attention, thereby causing the death of Thomas Leeson, at Roselawn Shopping Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin, on December 7, 2024 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) By Claire Henry A delivery driver who caused the death of an 83-year-old man in a supermarket car park during a "momentary lapse in concentration" has been given a fully suspended sentence. Judge Sheahan also highlighted the words from Ms Kidd's victim impact statement, which said that "no sentence will bring back our father." She sentenced Rooney to nine months in prison, which she suspended in full for nine months, and disqualified him from driving for two years.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence
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