Mum charged over death of babysitter

A 21-year-old mother has appeared at Tralee District Court charged with careless driving causing the death of her 14-year-old babysitter, a passenger in the car she was driving on the Cork-Kerry border last June.

Sarah O’Connell, of 44 Seán Moylan Park, Mallow, Co Cork, is charged with driving without due care and attention, thereby causing the death of Caitlín Taylor from Gouldshill in Mallow, at Knockeenahone, Scartaglen, Co Kerry, on June 15 last.

Ms O’Connell was charged with the single offence on November 18 and she made no reply to the charge. Her solicitor Pádraig O’Connell, said Ms O’Connell was a young mother, and she herself had received very serious injuries in the accident.

“She has been receiving counselling since the accident,” the solicitor said.

Judge James O’Connor adjourned the matter for mention to March 18, 2015. Ms Taylor had been a front- seat passenger.

Ms O’Connell and her 18-month-old daughter were both injured and hospitalised.