Woman was badly injured in Ballina accident
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
A woman suffered serious injuries when she was accidentally struck by a mechanic's work van.
John Regan, aged 41, of Mountain View, Ballybrooney, Killala pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to a charge of careless driving causing serious bodily harm following a road traffic incident in Ballina.
Ann Bourke, aged 60, of Corroy, Knockmore sustained serious injuries when she was struck by the Ford Transit van at Kevin Barry Street, Ballina on May 14, 2024.
Regan, who was working as a mechanic for Bus Éireann, was exiting the company’s depot at around 4.30pm when the accident occurred.
Ms Bourke had finished work and was walking along to the bus station to catch a bus. As she approached the vehicular entrance to the depot, she was hit by the vehicle. CCTV footage of the incident was played in court.
Regan did not immediately realise he had hit the woman and drove for a short number of yards while Ms Bourke was trapped under the vehicle. When he realised something was wrong he reversed the vehicle and could see a shopping bag on the ground. He stopped the van and saw the trapped woman.
The court was told that the defendant passed a roadside breath test at the scene.
Ms Bourke sustained broken ribs, a broken hand, a broken wrist, a dislocated elbow and a fractured shoulder blade in the collision. She was hospitalised for two months but has since made a good recovery.
In her victim impact statement, Ms Bourke said she holds no grudge against the driver. She has been left with a large plate in her left arm and a scar following the operation. Ms Bourke said she felt lucky to be alive following such a serious accident.
“I could have ended up in a wheelchair or even died,” she said.
The court heard that Regan, a married father-of-two, has no previous convictions.
Barrister Diarmuid Connolly said his client is full of remorse and guilt.
“This was a very momentary lapse of judgement,” he remarked.
Mr Connolly said the vehicle his client was driving was quite tall and high and Ms Bourke’s small stature may have contributed to Regan not seeing her.
Judge Eoin Garavan said this was a “sad event” involving “two decent people" and he believed Regan’s remorse is truly genuine.
“I don’t think he will forget that particular day for quite a while,” said the judge, who ordered the defendant to carry out 150 hours of community service in lieu of seven months in prison.
- Published as part of the Court Reporting Scheme.
