Court hears epileptic seizure led to three-car motorway crash in Wexford
Wexford PeopleA Dublin man has been fined for careless driving following a serious three-vehicle collision on the M11 after a Gorey District Court heard he had been suffering an epileptic seizure at the time.
Garda Nolan gave evidence that on September 9, 2023, he attended at the scene of a road traffic collision on the M11 Moneycross Upper, Gorey. There were three vehicles involved in the collision with one being rear ended ending up on its roof, and another colliding with the central wall of the motorway.
Brian O’Mahony (66) of 32 Bayview Drive, Hackettsland, Killiney, Dublin, made admissions to causing the collision.
Defence counsel for the accused informed the court that on the day in question O’Mahony was travelling from his workplace suffering an epileptic seizure causing him to be unaware of his surroundings. The barrister stated his client is extremely remorseful for what occurred and commented that an insurance claim had been settled between the accused and one of the parties involved.
O’Mahony informed the court that he himself had received two broken ribs as a result of the collision and stated that as a result of the prolonged seizure he has no memory of what exactly happened.
Counsel added that the defendant had two previous seizures. One in 2020 where he was instructed not to drive for six months, and a second in 2022 where he was advised not to drive for 12 months. After the seizure in 2023 the accused has opted to no longer drive.
Addressing his decision to no longer drive O’Mahony stated that even though he has no recollection of the crash he did read the accident report, which he described as “horrific.” The defendant went on to say that he would be concerned for other road users more than himself if he was to drive again.
Judge Cheatle fined the accused €250 allowing five months to pay. An additional charge of driving while suffering from illness was withdrawn.