Drunk driver displayed 'lack of moral culpability' after serious crash
The defendant appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
A drunk driver who caused serious injuries to two people has been branded a “deeply unpleasant individual” by a circuit court judge.
Thomas Lydon, aged 61, of Carne, Charlestown, appeared before Judge Eoin Garavan at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court where he initially pleaded guilty to drink driving and dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. However, Lydon subsequently dispensed with his legal team and while he admitted drink driving sought to change his plea on the dangerous driving charge.
The court heard that a two-car collision occurred on the N17 at Kilkelly at 10.15pm on February 29, 2024. Road and weather conditions were poor due to snowfall.
A motorist had contacted Gardaí after he was overtaken by a car driven by Lydon which proceeded to drive on the wrong side of the road. Lydon’s Hyundai collided with an oncoming car, causing serious injuries to his front-seat passenger and the front-seat passenger of the other vehicle.
A witness to the incident described how Lydon’s first action upon exiting his vehicle was not to check on the injured parties, but rather to urinate against the side of his own car.
Lydon failed a roadside breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. A urine sample later revealed a reading of 207mg of alcohol, more than three times the legal limit of 67mg.
Carmel Doherty, from Ballyhaunis, was a front-seat passenger in Lydon’s car. She suffered two bleeds on the brain, a fractured neck, 12 fractured ribs, broken bones and required emergency surgery to remove 40cm of her bowel. She spent three weeks in intensive care and 12 weeks in hospital.
Knock man Oliver O’Brien was a front-seat passenger in a car being driven by his wife while two of his children were in the rear of the vehicle. He sustained a fractured back in the collision. He was in a back brace for a period and when the brace was removed it was discovered he needed surgery for a hernia.
Victim impact statements from the injured parties were read into court.
Ms Doherty said her life has been completely changed following the incident. She had been in an on/off relationship with Lydon and they had been socialising before the crash. Ms Doherty said Lydon insisted on driving despite her concerns.
The court was later told that Lydon stated, “I’m not afraid of the pigs,” when questioned about his capacity to drive. He was referring to Gardaí.
Ms Doherty recalled nothing of the crash and the first thing she remembered was waking up in intensive care.
The victim said she endures “constant and overwhelming” pain and her mobility remains limited. She said the emotional toll has been “immense”. Lydon never told her what truly happened that night and failed to disclose that his car hit another vehicle.
Mr O’Brien recounted how he had to be extracted from the car by the emergency service and sustained debilitating injuries. It was 13 months after the accident before he was able to return to work at full capacity. His wife and children were injured but not seriously.
Lydon has a number of previous convictions, including for motoring offences and sexual assault.
When arrested and questioned by Gardaí, he claimed he had been dazzled by the headlights of the other car and denied driving on the wrong side of the road. Lydon repeated those assertions in court.
He told the court that Ms Doherty was “fine” after the accident despite her serious injuries. He then attempted to blame her for the surgery she required. The defendant also disputed the location of the crash and stated he is from Swinford not Charlestown.
Lydon appeared in court in a wheelchair claiming it was due to arthritis. He had previously attended the court without a wheelchair.
Judge Garavan said it was clear that Lydon is a “deeply unpleasant individual". He pointed to the man’s lack of insight, remorse, or pity and his failure to take any responsibility.
The court was told the defendant is deemed to be at high risk of re-offending.
The judge said Lydon’s failure to display moral culpability was “the worse I have ever seen", adding that the defendant would be spending Christmas in custody.
The judge remanded Lydon in custody until March 10, 2026, when he will finalise sentencing.
“Clearly a significant custodial sentence is warranted but I will hold my hand until he (Lydon) is properly represented," said Judge Garavan.
- Published as part of the Court Reporting Scheme.
