Careless driver who struck pedestrian, 88, has driving ban cut on appeal

The court was told what happened had been a 'momentary lapse in concentration' on the driver's part

Mr Justice McCarthy said the three-judge court would quash the original sentence and four-year driving ban and impose a disqualification of two years and four months in its place, backdated to July 7, 2022. File photo

A careless driver who struck and seriously injured an 88-year-old pedestrian after suffering a “momentary lapse in concentration” has seen her driving ban reduced, after the Court of Appeal found the law on mandatory disqualifications was erroneously interpreted.

Tanya Kirwan (40), Killisk, The Ballagh, Co Wexford, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm at Wexford Circuit Court on July 7, 2022. Judge James McCourt imposed a one-year suspended sentence and disqualified Kirwan from driving for a period of four years.