Motorist spared disqualification after knocking down cyclist on roundabout
An off-duty garda witnessed the accident
A CARLOW woman who had a collision with a cyclist she hadn't seen while driving through a roundabout in poor weather conditions has been fined €700 for careless driving.
Lena Delaney of Ballinabranna, Carlow, appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy at Carlow District Court on 3 December, where her solicitor Chris Hogan asked the court if it was prepared to reduce to careless driving from the original dangerous driving charge.
The court heard evidence from Garda Byrne, who was off duty at the time, that on 18 December 2024 he observed the 75-year-old enter a roundabout in Carlow town when her car hit a cyclist that “she hadn’t seen”. Ms Delaney tested negative for drugs and alcohol.
The injured party was subsequently brought to St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny for an x-ray, CT scan and tetanus shots. Garda Byrne’s evidence outlined that it was “very rainy on the day in question”, indicating that weather conditions and visibility were poor.
Mr Hogan noted that the injured party was present in court and apologised to him on behalf of his client before going on to describe how she was on her way to work in “very poor weather conditions” when it was “rainy and dark”. She drove straight through the roundabout, not seeing a cyclist to the right.
“This is no criticism to the cyclist but he wasn’t wearing a high visibility jacket and due to weather conditions she didn’t see him,” said Mr Hogan.
He added that a member of the gardaí driving behind her checked on the cyclist at the time of the incident to see if he was okay.
“Ms Delaney has been driving for 45 years and has never had an accident before this. She has no convictions and no penalty points. She cooperated fully with the gardaí and notified her insurance company,” he explained.
“As a result her premium went up by €3,000 per annum,” he added, handing in paperwork as proof.
Mr Hogan went on to say in mitigation that Ms Delaney needs to drive because she works with a travel agency and “herself and husband have medical appointments she needs to drive to”, asking the court to be lenient.
Before checking that the “cyclist can remedy elsewhere if he wishes to pursue (charges)”, Judge Carthy said: “I’ve no doubt it was traumatic for the cyclist on the day in question”.
She convicted and fined Ms Delaney €700 for careless driving with 120 days to pay.
Court report funded by Coimisiún na Meán
