Cleared over crash that killed daughter

A mother, yesterday cleared on a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of her four-year-old daughter, is pregnant and expecting a baby girl in April.

A judge and jury had heard earlier this week from witnesses who saw a van hitting a kerb, spinning twice through the air, and a child being thrown on to the road.

Melissa Delaney, aged 24, of 5 Radharc Na Fia, Convent Rd, Doneraile, Co Cork, had pleaded not guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to a single charge of dangerous driving causing the death of Kathleen O’Brien, aged 4, on July 13, 2013, at Kilmona, Blarney.