Cork woman Jennifer Thomas gets four years for dangerous driving ...

Judge Helen Boyle imposed a sentence of five years with the last year suspended.

Judge Boyle said in consideration of aggravating factors: “The conduct at the scene is that you told a number of people you were the driver. But it is the fact that when lawful demand was made of you, you named Ms Dunne as the driver. Asked why, you said, she had more control. 

"I do accept it was in the context of a road traffic collision and you were on a spinal board and you were intoxicated at the time (when this was said). But on the second lawful demand you accepted you were the driver.” 

Evidence

Evidence was given earlier that at the scene of the single-vehicle crash, Jennifer Thomas was heard at the scene hysterically repeating: “Please wake up. How can I live without her?” 

Witnesses saw her asleep at the wheel a short time before the 7.30pm crash. She was stopped in traffic but failed to drive on for eight minutes. Cars beeped and drove around her. There was a similar incident which lasted five minutes — again in the half hour before the fatal crash into an embankment turned the car on to its driver’s side.

Detective Garda Mark Durcan testified that on Sunday, February 11, this year at around 7.30pm the jeep driven by Jennifer Thomas, after drinking 12 alcoholic beverages in the course of the day, crashed and turned over causing injuries to her friend and front-seat passenger, Sheila Dunne, as a result of which she died.

The two women went to the 12 Tables restaurant in Douglas for lunch, followed by the Pier Head in Blackrock and The Castle Bar in Glanmire that day.

Ms Thomas drove a number of times during that day until she drove after 7pm that evening with Ms Dunne as her front-seat passenger. On the journey home after being stopped in traffic she failed to drive off for over eight minutes, causing traffic from behind to beep and pass her. One motorist looked into the vehicle and said Jennifer Thomas was asleep at the wheel and it was clear that both driver and passenger were intoxicated, Det. Garda Durcan said.

At a later point in the journey the vehicle was seen going on to the incorrect side of the road and later stopping for five minutes. The jeep then hit a number of traffic cones, knocking them over. One citizen was so concerned they drove after the car.

The detective said Ms Thomas narrowly missed two pedestrians correcting the vehicle at the last moment.

“Jennifer Thomas then drove around a left bend, failed to straighten the vehicle, (went on to a grass verge, mounted a walled kerb) and overturned on to the driver’s side at 7.31pm. Her phone was on Bluetooth and auto-contacted emergency services by 999,” he said. 

Driver

The detective said that Ms Dunne fell down on top of Ms Thomas in the driver’s seat when the jeep-type vehicle landed on the driver’s side. He said Ms Thomas was agitated and upset, repeatedly asking how Ms Dunne was.

When fire officers at the scene asked who was driving Ms Thomas told them she was driving. A short time later she told Garda Eric Stafford in response to the same question, that Sheila Dunne was driving because she had more control.

The detective said that Jennifer Thomas was wearing a seatbelt at the time and the late Ms Dunne was not, putting her 600% more at risk of serious injury, Det. Garda Durcan said.

Later again, Ms Thomas said she could not remember who was driving. When questioned afterwards she accepted she was the driver at all times. Her senior counsel, Tom Creed, said she admitted she was driving and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He said she also apologised to the family of the late Sheila Dunne and hoped they would find the space to heal. “I am totally sorry in more ways than I can express."

Victim impact statements

The deceased woman’s mother, Esther O’Brien, 74, said in her victim impact statement: “This loss has not only shattered my life but has also left two precious grandchildren without their mother. My daughter was my biggest support. We shared a deep bond, she was my confidante, my source of strength."

Lilley Dunne spoke outside court on behalf of herself and her younger brother TJ about the impact that losing their mother in this way has had on them.

"I carry a life sentence of love lost and shattered lives. What happened to my mum was senseless and preventable and haunts me everyday. We hope this sends a powerful message that actions have consequences. If our story can stop another family from suffering this kind of heartbreak maybe it will have meant something."