Pregnant woman left distressed on side of Cork road after collision with disqualified driver

Man jailed for five months after pleading guilty to hit and run charges

Cork District Court heard the uninsured driver had been caught seven times previously driving without insurance and was serving a 14-year driving ban.

A heavily pregnant woman was left in a distressed state on the side of the road after a disqualified driver collided with her car and then drove off without leaving his details.

That was the scenario described by Sergeant Gearóid Davis at Cork District Court where Gary Walsh, aged 40, of apartment 3, Retail Park, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, pleaded guilty to hit and run and related charges.

Judge Mary Dorgan jailed him for a total of five months.

Joseph Cuddigan said on the defendant’s behalf: “It is not as egregious as it might sound, there was no damage, according to the garda.” 

Sgt Davis said: “There is still a requirement to remain at the scene.” 

Judge Dorgan agreed with the sergeant and also referred to the pregnant woman being left distressed at the scene.

Aggravating factors included the fact that the uninsured driver had been caught seven times previously driving without insurance. He also had a 14-year driving ban against him at the time of this collision.

Sgt Davis said: “On November 27 at 6.15pm, Gary Walsh was driving when he collided with the rear of a vehicle driven by a woman at North Ring Rd, Cork.

“Little to no damage was caused. Gary Walsh spoke to the woman briefly but left the scene without providing any information.

“Before he left, the woman took a photograph of his vehicle’s registration plate.

“From this information, Garda Thomas O’Connell was able to identify the driver as Gary Walsh.

“Garda O’Connell spoke to the defendant who made admissions after caution to being the driver of this vehicle at the time of the collision. He claimed that he left the scene as he didn’t see any damage.

“It became apparent that Gary Walsh is a disqualified driver with a 14-year disqualification for various Road Traffic Act and criminal offences.

“He left the scene despite the woman being heavily pregnant and visibly upset.”

 Mr Walsh pleaded guilty to hit and run, careless driving, and having no insurance or driving licence.