Ireland Ballinagar driver jailed for careless driving causing serious bodily harm
On 17 July 2023 at Ballycue, Ballinagar, Co Offaly, a car driven by Adam Kelly (28) collided head-on with another vehicle. The two women in that car, Breda Heffernan and Mary Todd, were seriously injured, and Ms Heffernan died on 9 August 2023. Mr Kelly pleaded guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court to careless driving causing serious bodily harm and admitted drink and drug driving charges, and a dangerous driving causing death charge was dropped. On 20 June 2026 he was sentenced to 14 months, with five months suspended for five years, and a six-year driving ban, and he was told to report to Portlaoise Circuit Court on 26 June to begin his sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Adam Kelly's car collided head-on with another vehicle.
- Breda Heffernan and Mary Todd, the two women in the other car, were seriously injured, and Ms Heffernan died on 9 August 2023, nearly three weeks after the crash.
- Where
- The collision happened at Ballycue, Ballinagar, Co Offaly.
- When
- The collision happened on 17 July 2023.
- Cause
- Sources differ on timing: one says Mr Kelly had been drinking and taking cocaine the morning before the collision, while the Offaly Express reports the crash came the morning after he had been drinking and taking cocaine.
- Blood analysis showed Mr Kelly's alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit and his benzoylecgonine (cocaine) level was almost four times the legal limit.
- Investigation
- Mr Kelly told a garda at the scene that he had been drink driving and that the accident was his fault.
- Charges
- Mr Kelly pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm and admitted drink driving and drug driving charges.
- A charge of dangerous driving causing death was dropped.
- In court
- The case was heard at Tullamore Circuit Court.
- Sentence
- Mr Kelly was sentenced to 14 months, with five months suspended for five years, and banned from driving for six years.
- Concurrent three-month sentences and one-year disqualifications were imposed for the drink and drug driving offences.
- Mr Kelly was told to report to Portlaoise Circuit Court on 26 June to begin his sentence.
- Other details
- Mr Kelly's guilty plea saved the State the cost of a criminal trial.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAdam Kelly's car collided head-on with another vehicle. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBoth women in the other car were seriously injured. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBreda Heffernan died nearly three weeks after the crash. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBreda Heffernan died on August 9, 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe collision happened at Ballycue, Ballinagar. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe collision happened on July 17, 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeMr Kelly had been drinking and taking cocaine the morning before the collision. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeBlood analysis showed Mr Kelly was nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeBlood analysis showed Mr Kelly was almost four times above the legal limit for benzoylecgonine/cocaine. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationMr Kelly told a garda at the scene that he had been drink driving and that the accident was his fault. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeMr Kelly admitted drink driving and drug driving charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeA charge of dangerous driving causing death was dropped. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Tullamore Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMr Kelly was sentenced to 14 months, with five months suspended for five years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMr Kelly was banned from driving for six years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceConcurrent three-month sentences and one-year disqualifications were imposed for the drink and drug-driving offences. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMr Kelly was told to report to Portlaoise Circuit Court on June 26 to begin his sentence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherMr Kelly pleaded guilty, which saved the State the cost of a criminal trial. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Jun2026Offaly driver crashed day after pints, shots and cocaine
Reports the sentencing of Adam Kelly on careless driving causing serious bodily harm, with drink driving and drug driving admitted and a dangerous driving causing death charge dropped. Gives the sentence of 14 months with five months suspended, a six-year driving ban, and the death of passenger Breda Heffernan in August 2023. No existing case matches this incident.
convicted, Adam Kelly, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Adam Kellyvictim, Breda Heffernan, female, irish (judged from name)Breda Heffernanvictim, Mary Todd, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Todd