Driver involved in fatal crash that killed Wicklow teen Molly Dempsey spared jail
The Wicklow PeopleA man has received a fully suspended two-year prison sentence and a 10-year driving ban for his role in the fatal crash that killed 15-year-old Molly Dempsey two years ago.
The defendant, who cannot be identified because he was a minor when the offence occurred, appeared before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for the finalisation of his sentence on Friday afternoon
At a previous sentencing hearing in November 2025, Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court heard the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash that claimed the life of the west Wicklow girl. The offence occurred in Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, on May 5, 2024.
The court previously heard that at approximately 4.30am, residents in a local housing estate heard a vehicle leaving the area. In statements provided to gardaí, neighbours said the car sounded as though it was being driven in the wrong gear.
Prosecuting counsel James Kelly BL outlined in November that the defendant had taken his mother’s car keys despite not holding a driving licence and having no ability to drive. He had collected Ms Dempsey shortly beforehand and had travelled only a short distance from her home when the collision occurred.
Four emergency calls were placed from Ms Dempsey’s mobile phone in the immediate aftermath of the crash. During the first call, the defendant informed the operator that he had crashed the car and stated that he was a minor.
In a subsequent call, he said: “I robbed the car, I think she is going to die.” In later calls, he told emergency services that Ms Dempsey was trapped beneath the vehicle and urgently required medical assistance.
Paramedics arrived a short time later and removed the vehicle from Ms Dempsey. CPR was administered at the scene for approximately 50 minutes. She was later pronounced dead on arrival at Naas Hospital.
The court heard that the defendant failed an initial roadside sobriety test but later passed a further test at a garda station.
The late Molly Dempsey's mother Mary Dempsey holding a bear that has a recording of Molly's voice on it. She said that is all they have left of her. Photo: Collins Courts/CC
A post-mortem examination found that Ms Dempsey died as a result of crushing injuries to her upper chest.
A specialist forensic collision investigation unit from An Garda Síochána determined that the vehicle had been travelling at significant speed prior to the crash.
Counsel for the defence, Michael Hourigan SC, told the court there were no independent witnesses to the collision and that no definitive evidence had established the precise speed of the vehicle.
During garda interviews, conducted in the presence of his father, the defendant said: “I don’t have anything to say to you. I will only talk to the family.”
The court also heard that he had previously pleaded guilty before Judge David Kennedy at the District Court to separate offences of driving without insurance and without a licence.
Victim impact statements were delivered by members of the Dempsey family. Molly’s mother, Mary Dempsey, told the court the driver had shown no remorse.
“As parents we can’t move forward,” she said. “All I know is my daughter is gone.”
Molly’s sister, Yvonne Dempsey, said she was in court to speak for her sister, whose life was taken at the hands of an underage and uninsured driver.
“I cannot describe what it feels like to watch your family shrink again and again, knowing you will never see certain faces or share certain memories again,” she added.
Defence counsel previously indicated that their client had written a letter of apology to the family but accepted it was not appropriate to present it at that time.
On Friday, a probation report was handed into court, describing the young man as a “medium risk of re-offending”, citing his lack of “organised leisure activity”.
Mr Hourigan remarked that his client is remorseful, with Judge Quinn noting that it is easy for legal counsel to state that an accused person is remorseful.
The accused “is not a person of maturity”, the court heard.
In mitigation, counsel for the defence made an application that the man qualified for exceptional circumstances due to his young age and that “he has to live with the consequences of his actions”.
“The high level of mitigating circumstances brings this into exceptional circumstances,” said Mr Hourigan.
During his judgement, Judge Quinn noted that in the probation report the accused alluded to the fact that Ms Dempsey contacted him first and that she had been in a distressed state and “struggling with her mental health”, which led him to getting into the car.
The investigating garda explained that both Ms Dempsey’s and the defendant’s phones were seized, but the data obtained was “infallible”.
He informed the court that the pair had been in contact, but he was not aware of the content of their conversations.
Judge Quinn stated that “Ms Dempsey was the youngest of nine and a bright light”, adding that “she was clearly loved”.
However, he said he must undertake a “systematic analysis” when handing down a sentence.
The defendant received a fully suspended two-year sentence and a 10-year driving ban. Judge Quinn noted that he is a suitable candidate for probation and referred to the mitigating circumstances in the case.
“The suspended sentence will hang over his life for the next two years,” said Judge Quinn.
Members of Ms Dempsey’s family could be seen crying after the sentence was handed down, with one heard stating: “He killed her, he killed her.”
Speaking outside the court, Molly’s mother Mary described their disappointment at the decision, while showing reporters the pink teddy bear they keep with them, with a recording of Molly’s voice on it.
“My daughter is gone,” she said. “He can walk where he likes, do what he likes. I walk to a grave every day. That's what I have left. My husband is sitting in the car, he can't deal with it, I can't deal with it. This is not my first time around, but losing a daughter is different. She was my baby."
She added: “We are going to appeal it, but we've been advised it won't go anywhere.”