Suspended jail term for causing 'violent collision' on N17
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
A Palestinian man who fled the war in Gaza has received a suspended prison sentence after his careless driving caused the death of a Mayo grandmother.
Mohammed Alqarra, aged 38, of Windsor Lodge, North Road, Drogheda, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
Kathleen Forkan, aged 84, of Treenkeel, Kiltimagh, and formerly of Urlaur, Kilkelly, passed away at Mayo University Hospital (MUH) ten days after the collision on the N17 on September 24, 2022.
Mrs Forkan was a front-seat passenger in a car being driven by her daughter Dymphna Murphy. They had been visiting a cousin of Mrs Forkan’s in a nursing home and Mrs Murphy was preparing to turn left at a junction in the direction of Kiltimagh when her car was struck from behind by Alqarra’s. There was no evidence of excessive speed.
The defendant’s car had five occupants including children and a one-month-old baby. His vehicle turned upside down.
Mrs Forkan did not appear to be seriously injured immediately following the accident and the court heard that her main concern at the time was for the Alqarra family. However, she went into shock and was removed to MUH by ambulance where her condition deteriorated further.
She died 10 days later with the cause of death given as massive pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis with a major contributing factor a subdural hematoma sustained in a road traffic accident. Mrs Forkan was a grandmother of 12.
In a victim impact statement, her daughter Dymphna said her late mum was “a loving mother and grandmother” who had the “ability to light up a room”. Her caring nature meant she was more concerned about the safety of the Alqarra family than her own in the aftermath of the crash.
Her daughter said the family had no wish for retribution. The Forkan family said they hope their mother’s tragic death serves as a reminder of how precious life is.
Mr Alqarra apologised in court to the Forkan family.
The court heard he lost both his parents at a young age and his brothers were also killed in the recent bombing in Gaza.
Alqarra, a father of four, had been living in Ireland for three years before the collision. He had no previous convictions at the time of the accident but came before the district court in Co Louth for breaking a red light 13 months following the crash.
Judge Eoin Garavan praised the Forkan family for their "beautiful" victim impact statement. He said Mrs Murphy was clearly her mother’s daughter given the sentiments expressed.
The judge said it was a “violent collision” and it clear that Alqarra was not “keeping a proper lookout". He noted the early plea and lack of aggravating factors and said he believed Alqarra’s apology to be heartfelt and genuine.
“Nothing is to be gained by putting this man in prison,” the judge remarked.
He imposed a 10-month suspended prison sentence and a two-year driving disqualification.
