Careless driver ‘suffering a life sentence’ over fatal N17 crash

A woman admitted careless driving following a car accident that caused the death of her elderly mother and left another motorist with serious injuries.

Joan Cassidy, aged 62, of Ballinacarrig, Ballintra, Co Donegal, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing serious injury, before a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.

The court heard that the two-car collision occurred at 5.45pm on August 15, 2012, on the N17 at Barnahesker, Kilkelly.

Mrs Cassidy and her 91-year old mother had been visiting Knock and were returning home to Donegal when she stopped for a coffee at the Applegreen service station at Barnahesker.

As she pulled out of the service station her vehicle collided with a car being driven by Rosaleen Murphy, aged 36, from Ballindine. Ms Murphy was travelling with two of her children.

She suffered injuries to her leg which resulted in her having to use a wheelchair for a period. Gda Conor Guckian said the injured party is now mobile but remains under the care of a consultant.

Mrs Cassidy’s mother died following the collision.

State Prosecutor Pat Reynolds said it was a moment of inattention that had serious consequences.

Mrs Cassidy has no previous convictions.

Diarmuid Connolly, BL, representing the accused, said the garage forecourt had a large coffee cup hoarding, a large ice cream cone hoarding and a third advertising hoarding on the day of the accident. He contended these items obscured Mrs Cassidy’s view.

Gda Guckian said he recommended their removal the day after the collision and this was carried out.

Mrs Cassidy offered an apology to Ms Murphy. She said the accident caused ‘great pain and suffering to us both’.

“There is solid remorse here,” said Mr Connolly.

“Mrs Cassidy is suffering a life sentence over and above what the court can do,” he added.

Judge Eoin Garavan imposed an eight-month suspended prison sentence. The judge chose not to disqualify Mrs Cassidy from driving.