Driver hitting cyclist, leaving her with a fractured skull and driving off with neither insurance nor full licence was regarded by judge as "lower end" of the scale.
Community service for driver who left cyclist with fractured skull
A driver who hit a cyclist and then fled the scene, leaving her with a hairline fracture to her skull, has been sentenced to community service.
Melvin Rattigan (20) told gardai he panicked and drove off. And he said he did not see or hear a taxi driver who followed him and told him to go back to the crash scene.
He appeared before Judge Karen O’Connor charged with causing serious harm to cyclist Laura Briggs.
Judge O’Connor said the case was unusual in that Rattigan was not speeding. And he was also not under the influence of drink or drugs.
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Instead, he “simply didn’t see” Ms Briggs on her bike. And because of that, the offence was on the lower end of the scale.
Rattigan, from St Mary’s Park, Dunsink, Finglas, also had no previous convictions.
Dublin Circuit Criminal court heard he hit Laura Briggs in his car on Lower Dominick St in the city centre at lunch time on May 13th, 2015.
Ms Briggs had the right of way as Rattigan, an inexperienced driver, attempted to turn right onto Dorset St.
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When he took the turn, on a green light, he said he did not see her cycling in oncoming traffic.
The accused man pleaded guilty. He was ordered to be assessed for suitability for community service. And 240 hours were imposed in lieu of two years in prison.
The court also heard that Melvin Rattigan was of good character. However, he had neither a full driver's licence nor insurance at the time he hit Laura Briggs.
He made €3,000 available to the victim. But she declined it, saying instead it should go to the St Francis Hospice Youth Charity.
Ms Briggs had spent €6,000 on medical treatment. And she said she had suffered mental as well as physical injury. This included depression.
Cyclist sustained several injuries
As well as the injury to her skull, she had also suffered a fractured wrist. As a result, her left hand had 50 per cent less grip.
She was unable to use a camera at work and also need ongoing physical therapy.
Rattigan said he thought Ms Briggs had gotten up off the road and was OK after the crash.
The court was told he was a father of two. At the time he of the collision he was aged 18 years and his wife was having problems with a pregnancy.
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