Cork woman pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of ...

A 46-year-old woman pleaded guilty today to dangerous driving in Glanmire causing the death last February of a special needs assistant at Watergrasshill national school.

The accused woman, Jennifer Thomas of 10 Oakfield View, Glanmire, Cork, stood in the dock at Cork Circuit Criminal Court today and her senior counsel Tom Creed said that she could be arraigned on the one count on the indictment.

She replied, “Guilty”, to the charge that on February 11 at L2973, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, she drove in a manner that was dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of another person, namely Sheila Dunne, who was aged 50 at the time.

Judge Helen Boyle explained that this was simply a brief hearing and that sentencing would not take place until a later date. 

“I extend my sincere condolences to members of the Dunne family,” the judge said.

Prosecution barrister, Katherine McGillicuddy said the prosecution was keen to proceed and that victim impact statements from the family of the late Sheila Dunne, who was 50, had been prepared already.

Mr Creed said: “This is a case in which there are particular mitigating circumstances. I would ask in the first instance for a probation and welfare services report. And I would ask for free legal aid to be extended for a psychologist’s report and a doctor’s report. I would not normally ask for both but there are particular reasons. It is a very sad case obviously.” 

The late Sheila Dunne was remembered at her funeral mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Glounthaune as someone who had a great sense of pride in her two children Lilley and TJ. Credit: Rip.ie

Judge Boyle agreed to extend free legal aid for the purposes described.

It was only today that an application was made for free legal aid on behalf of Ms Thomas.

Barrister Paula McCarthy said: 

“She is not working as a result of this incident. She was previously working.” 

Free legal aid was then granted in respect of solicitor, Eddie Burke, and barrister and senior counsel, Paula McCarthy and Tom Creed, respectively.

Judge Boyle said she did not know what reality there was in setting sentencing for November where time would be needed for the preparation of a probation report. It was agreed to adjourn the case until November 19 to see if sentencing can go ahead or if an adjournment will be necessary.

Detective Garda Mark Durcan said previously when the accused appeared for the first time at Cork District Court in relation to the case, that when charged with dangerous driving causing death and other charges she made no reply.

Other charges including one count of drink driving and three counts of dangerous driving will remain at the district court as they are deemed to be summary charges.

So the book of evidence contains only the single charge of dangerous driving causing death.

The summary charges consist of allegations that she was under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle at Sarsfield Court, dangerous driving at Hazelwood Road, Sarsfield Court and Sallybrook, not having a driving licence, and the related count of failing to produce it. All counts relate to the same date, February 11.

No details were given in court about the alleged facts that gave rise to the charges.

The late Sheila Dunne was remembered at her funeral mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Glounthaune as someone who had a great sense of pride in her two children Lilley and TJ. Her late husband, well-known local DJ Ted Dunne, died three years ago.