Courts / Dublin / Report

Veteran lorry driver has conviction for failing to remain at accident scene overturned

Date
2026-07-03

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Newcastle

County
Dublin

Summary

A veteran lorry driver, John Burkett, was acquitted of failing to remain at the scene of an incident where a young boy made contact with his truck. The court heard that the boy had suffered a fractured shoulder and leg injuries. Burkett had been convicted of failing to remain at the scene and failing to report the accident to gardai, but the appeal court found that the truck had stopped for at least a minute, as shown by tachograph evidence. The judge ruled that the prosecution's case had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt and acquitted Burkett of the charge of failing to remain at the scene. However, he was fined €750 to Crumlin Children's Hospital for failing to report the accident. The court noted that Burkett had no charges related to careless or dangerous driving and that the prosecution's case was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. John Burkett pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Veteran lorry driver has conviction for failing to remain at accident scene overturned. Charges or matters: not reporting the accident. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

August 10, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
2026-07-03 Publication

Why: He said that he was confused, because the driver obviously knew that he hit something and wouldn't have stopped for no reason. CNI source report