Courts / Tipperary / Report
Careless truck driver who caused death of former Garryowen rugby player fails in sentence appeal
Summary
A truck driver who caused the death of former Garryowen rugby player Mark McMullen three years ago has lost an appeal against his ten-month prison sentence. The Court of Appeal ruled that the driver, Gabor Mihalecz, was speeding and driving a defective lorry with a faulty braking system, which led to the vehicle jackknifing. Mihalecz had pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and was sentenced to ten months in prison and disqualified from driving for four years. His legal team argued that the initial sentence of 20 months was too high, but the court dismissed the appeal, noting that the braking system defect was the main cause of the accident. The judge acknowledged that the driver's culpability might not be at the highest level, but the sentence was upheld as appropriate.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Careless truck driver who caused death of former Garryowen rugby player fails in sentence appeal. Charges or matters: careless driving causing the death of Mr McMullen, at the N24, Barne, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, on July 31, 2023. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- July 31, 2023 Other
- May 20 Other
- 2026-06-29 Publication
Why: Mihalecz then braked, but because the trailer was not connected correctly, the Anti-lock Braking System did not work and the wheels locked, which caused the vehicle to jackknife. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: careless driving causing the death of Mr McMullen, at the N24, Barne, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, on July 31, 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: On May 20 last at Clonmel Courthouse, Mihalecz was sentenced to ten months in prison and disqualified from driving for four years.
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