Sentencing of Cork woman for careless driving causing death adjourned

Charleville woman, aged 87, will be sentenced in June

Agnes Foley admitted driving without due care and attention and causing the death of Mary Fehilly.

Sentencing of an 87-year-old woman on charges including one of careless driving causing the death of a woman in Charleville could not go ahead today and it was adjourned until June 23 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Agnes Foley, of Farran, Charleville, Co Cork, appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Helen Boyle at the end of April and confirmed her previously entered signed pleas of guilty.

She admitted driving without due care and attention on November 2, 2024, at Main St, Rathgoggin, Middle Charleville, thereby causing the death of Mary Fehilly.

The 87-year-old also pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention on November 2, 2024, at Main St, Rathgoggin, Middle Charleville, thereby causing serious bodily harm to John Collins.

Defence senior counsel Marjorie Farrelly said before this date the defendant had driven for 60 years without incident. She said this occurred when Ms Foley was carrying out a parking manoeuvre.

“She accidentally put her foot on the accelerator instead of the brake,” Ms Farrelly said.

The senior counsel said the motorist had not driven since and had written letters to the families of the deceased and of the injured party.

Ms Farrelly said that she was not looking for any reports on the defendant and was very keen to have sentencing take place as soon as possible.

After expressing her condolences to the family of the deceased, Judge Boyle had adjourned sentencing until today but it was not possible to proceed and a specially fixed hearing will be on June 23.

Prosecution barrister Imelda Kelly previously said victim impact statements from Mr Collins and from the family of the late Ms Fehilly are to be prepared.