Posted by ‘freak accident’ |
Driver knocked down woman as she was arguing with his brother on west Dublin street
A court heard Raymond Dunne had “foolishly” got involved in something that “wasn’t his business”
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A driver knocked down and injured a woman in a “freak accident” as she was arguing with his brother on a west Dublin street.
Raymond Dunne (35) recklessly struck the victim with the car after he brought his brother to her home to confront her in a dispute.
A court heard Dunne had “foolishly” got involved in something that “wasn’t his business” after “World War III broke out”.
Judge David McHugh gave him a four-month suspended sentence.
Dunne, a courier from Willsbrook View, Lucan, pleaded guilty at Blanchardstown District Court to endangerment.
The court heard that on January 18 last year, gardaí met the victim, who was lying on the ground, in distress and complaining of pain in her leg.
She said she had been hit by a vehicle – a Ford Kuga driven by Dunne, who was still at the scene.
Her right foot was injured and she had surgeries following the incident.
The court heard the accused and his brother had gone to the victim’s apartment on the night.
“World War III broke out” over something the woman had said, defence barrister Ciaran MacLoughlin said.
The accused “foolishly got involved” by bringing his brother in the car.
What happened was a “complete freak accident” while Dunne was driving at “a very low speed”, and he had no intention of hitting the victim, Mr MacLoughlin said.
Dunne had been driving his partner’s car and the victim had since taken a claim against the insurance.
The court heard Dunne had been turning the car while the accused’s brother, Edward, had been out on the road arguing with the victim.
On CCTV footage, the car could be seen driving forward and the wheel hitting her.
Judge McHugh noted from the video the victim was “actively indicating to” Dunne as he drove. However, he said he was “inclined to believe” that the strike was reckless rather than intentional.
“It wasn’t his business, it wasn’t his fight, he shouldn’t have gone there with his brother,” Mr MacLoughlin said.
The judge suspended the sentence for a year.
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