Sentencing adjourned of Cork woman for dangerous driving that caused special needs assistant's death

Sheila Dunne, who was aged 50 at the time, died on February 11 in Glanmire due to the dangerous driving of Jennifer Thomas

Jennifer Thomas pleaded guilty previously to the charge. Picture: Dan Linehan

Sentencing of a 46-year-old woman for dangerous driving in Glanmire causing the death last February of a special needs assistant was adjourned on Tuesday until November 26.

Jennifer Thomas of 10 Oakfield View, Glanmire, Cork, pleaded guilty previously to the charge that on February 11 at L2973, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, she drove in a manner that was dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of another person, namely Sheila Dunne, who was aged 50 at the time. 

Ms Dunne was a special needs assistant at Watergrasshill NS. 

A probation report was available on Tuesday but the parties agreed that sentencing should be adjourned for a week.

Defence barrister Paula McCarthy said the defence were seeking a full pathologist’s report, as distinct from the single-page document describing cause of death. 

Prosecution barrister Emmet Boyle said the defence already has what the prosecution has in terms of documentary evidence. Judge Helen Boyle said she wanted the parties to sort out this matter between them as she did not want it to become an issue at next week’s sentencing hearing.

The prosecution previously indicated that victim impact statements from the family of the late Sheila Dunne had been prepared already.

Detective Garda Mark Durcan said previously when the accused appeared for the first time at Cork District Court in relation to the case, that when charged with dangerous driving causing death and other charges she made no reply.

Summary charges

Other charges including one count of drink driving and three counts of dangerous driving will remain at the district court as they are deemed to be summary charges. Therefore, the book of evidence contains only the single charge of dangerous driving causing death.

The summary charges consist of allegations that she was under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle at Sarsfield Court, dangerous driving at Hazelwood Road, Sarsfield Court and Sallybrook, not having a driving licence, and the related count of failing to produce it. All counts relate to the same date, February 11.

No details were given in court about the alleged facts that gave rise to the charges.

The late Sheila Dunne was remembered at her funeral mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Glounthaune as someone who had a great sense of pride in her two children Lilley and TJ. Her late husband, well-known local DJ Ted Dunne, died three years ago.