Judge: Obscene to fine woman over fatal accident

To fine a woman who was found guilty of having her car parked dangerously on a road where a fatal accident occurred would be obscene, a judge said yesterday, as it might be seen to put a value on the life of a man who died in the incident.

After less than 45 minutes, a jury at Limerick Circuit Court yesterday found Mary Meade, aged 70, of Lissard, Galbally, Co Limerick, guilty of dangerously parking her car at Ballyfruta, Ballylanders, on Nov 26, 2010.

The jury found Mrs Meade not guilty of a second, more serious charge of reckless endangerment — that she created a substantial risk of causing serious injury or death.

Jim Corbett, aged 80, a friend of Mrs Meade’s who she was visiting that night, died in the incident.

Judge Carroll Moran said it was a very sad case and he agreed with the jury’s verdict. He said the case arose out of a freak accident and one felt for the family of Mr Corbett.

Judge Moran said Mrs Meade had been acquitted of the serious charge of reckless endangerment, which, he said, carried a prison sentence of up to seven years.

Judge Moran said there was no question of prison, and also there would be no question of a fine on Mrs Meade as this might be seen as putting a value on a person’s life, and that would be quite obscene.

Accordingly, he made no order, but recorded a conviction on the dangerous parking charge.

Two motorists gave evidence of being blinded by lights of Mrs Meade’s car which was parked near a bend. This resulted in a three-car impact which claimed the life of Mr Corbett, who was standing alongside Mrs Meade’s car.

Addressing the jury on the third day of evidence yesterday, Mark Nicholas, for Mrs Meade, said it was a very tragic case. Mrs Meade had been visiting a lifelong friend, which she had done regularly, and parked her car where she always parked it.

On leaving, Mrs Meade had put on her dimmed lights before she was about to drive off.

It was conceded by the State that Mrs Meade did not cause Mr Corbett’s death.