Driver hurt after car failed to stop

A 65-year-old van driver was seriously injured when a young motorist failed to stop at a junction and crashed his car sidelong into the van in a midnight incident in the Cobh area.

Detective Garda Richard White said Patrick Cooney, aged 29, of 4 Ashcroft, Rock St, Cloyne, Co Cork, was driving a friend home shortly after midnight on February 1, 2013, when he came to a junction on the back road into Cobh from Cork and failed to stop at the stop sign.

The injured party, Jim Frahill, had right of way. His van ended up on the side of the road after being struck by Cooney’s car.

Det Garda White said Mr Frahill sustained extensive injuries to his ribs.

Cooney, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving, causing serious harm to Mr Frahill.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said it was a classic case of bad driving.

The judge put sentencing back until May 29 to give the accused a time to put his own affairs in order in anticipation of a period of disqualification from driving.

He indicated there would not be a custodial sentence and the penalty would consist of a fine or suspended sentence and a driving ban for a period.