No driving ban, jail for crash that left cyclist unable to walk, talk
The judge said the driver suffered a momentary lapse and had shown remorse for his careless driving (Garda file photo)
A man who admitted careless driving causing harm to a cyclist left unable to walk, talk or hear has escaped jailed or a driving ban.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told the driver, 63-year-old Robert Faherty, had forgotten to turn on his car’s headlights as he began a journey two years ago.
And about 200 metres after his journey began, in north Dublin, his car hit cyclist Grainne Duncan.
She was turning right at a junction when Mr Faherty’s car was driving straight, on the evening of February 4th, 2015.
The court was told because the car lights were not on, Ms Duncan could not see it in the dark.
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Garda Keith Murphy said while Ms Duncan appeared to see the car at the last moment, it was too late.
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Ms Duncan (45), the court was told, was wearing hi-vis clothing and a helmet. She also had lights on her bike.
Ma Duncan was in a coma for two months and has profound permanent injuries that required round the clock care for every aspect of her wellbeing.
She only became aware of her situation recently, though the crash occurred over two years ago; at Greencastle Road, Coolock.
Mr Faherty, from Ard na Greine close to the crash scene, pleaded guilty in February to dangerous driving causing harm.
Lapse of concentration
Judge Patricia Codd said Mr Faherty had not been engaged in speeding at the time.
She said there was a difference between clear dangerous driving and a lapse of concentration.
She passed a suspended sentence of nine months, which means Mr Faherty will not go to prison.
Judge Codd decided against a driving ban. She was told he needed his car to visit his ill father in Galway.
She noted Mr Faherty had a clean driving record before the crash. And she said he had shown genuine remorse.
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