Driver of car in crash that killed Wicklow teen Molly Dempsey given new sentencing date

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

The sentencing of a Wicklow youth who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of 15-year-old Molly Dempsey has been given a date for finalisation.

The 18-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons as he was a minor at the time of the offence, appeared at a call-over sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court.

The court previously heard that in the early hours of May 5, 2024, the defendant took his mother’s car keys, despite being unable to drive, collected Ms Dempsey, and crashed the vehicle in Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, just a few kilometres from her home.

A specialist Garda unit later concluded that the car had been travelling at high speed.

In November 2025, the court heard recordings of four emergency calls made by the defendant from Ms Dempsey’s phone, in which he said he had crashed the car and feared she would die.

Ms Dempsey suffered fatal crushing injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at Naas Hospital, despite prolonged CPR at the scene.

Counsel for the defendant, Eamonn O’Moore, told the court that a plea in mitigation is the only remaining matter to be heard. Members of the Dempsey family were present in court.

Judge Patrick Quinn scheduled the case to resume on February 20, 2026.