Three Cork women injured by motorbike after man lost control in race against Mercedes car

One of the racers arrived at the scene in his father’s new car

The two young men agreed to have a race between then in the empty car park Eastgate retail park in Little Island, Cork.

Two young men raced each other in a car park while driving a new Mercedes car and a motorcycle but the youth on the bike lost control and his vehicle skid at speed into three young women seriously injuring them.

This was the scenario described by Garda Ruth Healy at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where the young women gave emotional evidence on how their lives had changed utterly as a result of the catastrophic incident at Eastgate retail park in Little Island.

Luke Martin. aged 23, of St Jude’s Hermitage, Ballybrowney, Rathcormac, Co Cork, had his case adjourned for sentencing until February 24 by Judge Sinead Behan, arising out of his plea of guilty to counts of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to three young women on September 16, 2023, at Eastgate retail park.

Garda Healy said that a group of youths were gathered in the area and one of them arrived at the scene in his father’s new Mercedes car. Luke Martin was present on a motorbike. The two young men agreed to have a race between then in the empty car park.

However, on making a turn at speed Luke Martin lost control, fell off the bike and it skidded into the three young women.

'The impact threw us into the air'

One of the injured parties said: “Luke was riding without a helmet and showed no regard for our safety, racing through an empty car park at excessive speed with no intention to stop, ultimately colliding with all three of us. The impact threw us into the air before we hit the tarmac, turning what should have been a fun and enjoyable evening into a terrifying experience that has changed my life in many ways.

“I now struggle with fear and anxiety … Loud motorbike or car noises trigger flashbacks and panic, leaving me paralysed with fear. I experience frequent nightmares, sleepless nights, flashbacks and moments of emotional distress. I often think of how things could have ended much worse that night, and that thought just terrifies me.” 

A second young woman said in her victim impact statement: “I have had many moments of sheer panic to the point where I just break down and cry. I get so overwhelmed that I find it hard to continue with my day. I feel helpless and upset.

“Since that very traumatic day I have not seen or heard from Luke. I waited a few days after the accident for Luke to contact me with some attempt to apologise but this did not happen. I was angry and upset that he didn’t even pick up the phone to try and make right of what happened.

“The constant reminders (including scarring) have left me with lingering anxiety and the uneasy feeling that I might never remember exactly what happened and that truly scares me.” 

The third injured party was not present in court to read her victim impact statement and it was handed to the judge on her behalf.

'Deeply remorseful'

Defence barrister said there was no doubt but that the young man was extremely apologetic and remorseful and he read a letter from the accused where he directly addressed the injured parties.

The young man said: “I did want to make an apology to all three of you. I was advised not to. I regret and am deeply remorseful for my actions. I fully accept responsibility for the consequences. I did not refrain from contacting you because I felt indifferent. I was instructed by gardaí not to contact you — that it could interfere with the process.

“I know this exacerbated your distress and left you feeling like I did not care. I have been deeply affected. I wake up knowing my actions caused pain and distress. I am truly sorry.”