Man in court over crash in Laois

A man returned from Australia to appear in court for a careless driving case. 

Conor Carroll, 27, of Garryhinch Cross, Portarlington, Offaly pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm at Garoon, Laois on May 16, 2022. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had returned home for the case. She said he was pleading guilty and was supported by his family. 

She set out the details of the incident. “As we were rounding a corner the vehicle lost control and collided with the injured party,” she explained.  

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said while he didn’t have a medical report in the court, the injured party had suffered serious injuries. 

He said the injured party didn’t want to make a victim impact statement.

“He knows the defendant didn’t set out to hurt anyone,” Sgt Kirby said. 

Sgt Kirby said the injured party also indicated that he didn’t want the defendant jailed. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client had cooperated fully with the investigation. She said his insurance had paid out in the case. The man is working in Australia but returns home to do seasonal work and has a lorry licence, said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

“He and his family are taking the matter extremely seriously,” she assured the court. She said the man had written a letter for the injured party and another for the court. 

“He is well regarded by any of those he has worked for,” she added. 

Judge Andrew Cody convicted the man and fined him €750 and gave him six months to pay.