Ireland Case No. 0289Dangerous driving causing death · Co. Limerick · 4 Jan 2020
Coroner backs higher sentences at Limerick motorcyclist death inquest
On 4 January 2020, a van driven by Daniel Phillips, 35, of Limerick, collided with three motorcyclists on the N24 at Dromkeen, Co Limerick, during a high-speed chase, killing Maurice Fehilly, 54, almost instantly and seriously injuring Thomas Traynor, who died in 2022 after 22 operations. Phillips, who had survived being shot in the head in 2010, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to dangerous driving causing death and serious bodily harm, while Michael Stanners, 41, who was driving the pursuing car, was convicted by a jury of two counts of endangerment. Both were sentenced in March 2025, Phillips to five years and nine months and Stanners to six and a half years, each with a 10-year driving ban. An inquest at Limerick Coroner's Court in September 2026 heard the coroner endorse calls for the maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing death to be raised from 10 to 14 years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court25 Feb
2 reports - Convicted24 Feb
4 reports - Sentenced21 Mar
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- On 4 January 2020, a van driven by Daniel Phillips collided with three motorcyclists on the N24 at Dromkeen, Co Limerick, during a high-speed chase, killing Maurice Fehilly (aged 54, or 42 in some reports) almost instantly and seriously injuring Thomas Traynor, who died in 2022 after 22 operations; a third motorcyclist, Tom Conway, escaped serious injury.
- Where
- The collision occurred on the N24 at Drombane, Dromkeen, Co Limerick.
- When
- The collision occurred on 4 January 2020.
- Cause
- Phillips took a bend at high speed while being pursued by a car driven by Michael Stanners, both vehicles travelling on the wrong side of the road.
- Weapon
- A passenger in Stanners' car struck Phillips' van with a baseball bat during the chase.
- Investigation
- Garda forensic examination found no indication the van had applied its brakes before the collision.
- Charges
- Phillips pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Maurice Fehilly, dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Thomas Traynor, and driving without insurance.
- In court
- Stanners was convicted by a jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court of two counts of endangerment.
- Sentence
- Phillips was jailed for five years and nine months with a 10-year driving disqualification; Stanners was jailed for six and a half years with a 10-year driving disqualification.
- Other details
- Phillips had survived being shot in the head and chest in 2010 and spent a month in a coma before learning to walk again at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire.
- The coroner at the inquest endorsed calls for the maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing death to be increased from 10 to 14 years and for driving disqualifications to run consecutively to custodial sentences.
86 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMaurice Fehilly was 54, from Seskin, Kilsheelan, Co Tipperary, formerly of Clonmel (irishtimes.com)
- whatMaurice Fehilly was a father of three (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaniel Phillips is 35, of Crecora Avenue, Ballinacurra/Weston, Limerick (irishtimes.com)
- whatAfter being shot, Phillips spent a month in a coma and had to learn to walk again at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire (irishtimes.com)
- whatIn March 2021, Phillips was jailed for five and a half years for possessing a home-made .22 calibre gun and 88 rounds of ammunition (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhillips pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Maurice Fehilly. (limerickpost.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- whatPhillips pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of a motorcyclist. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatTwo friends died or were injured after being hit by a driver while riding motorcycles in Co Limerick. (rte.ie)
- whatMaurice Fehilly died after being hit by a vehicle driven by Daniel Phillips. (rte.ie)
- whatThomas Traynor died from his injuries two years later. (rte.ie)
- whatTwo men were jailed for a combined 12 years and three months after a high-speed chase on the N24 Limerick to Tipperary road resulted in a motorcyclist's death and serious injuries to two others. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTraynor subsequently died after undergoing 22 operations due to his injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA third motorcyclist, Tom Conway, was travelling in a single-file convoy with Fehilly and Traynor but escaped serious injury. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhillips was driving a Hyundai van being pursued at high speed by a group of four men in a Toyota Avensis driven by Stanners. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe van and car were travelling on the wrong side of the road. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhillips was accompanied by a woman and young child in the van. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe van collided with Fehilly and Traynor after Phillips took a bend in the road at high speed. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMaurice Fehilly died almost instantly. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTraynor was rushed to hospital and later had one of his legs amputated below the knee before dying. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMaurice Fehilly was knocked off his motorbike and killed by a van driver on the N24 at Dromkeen village, Co Limerick (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhillips also admitted dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Thomas Tom Traynor (irishtimes.com)
- whatTraynor died in 2022 after undergoing 22 surgeries following the collision (irishtimes.com)
- whatMichael Stanners was driving a car pursuing Phillips at speed on the wrong side of the N24 with three passengers (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe coroner endorsed calls for maximum sentences for dangerous driving causing death to be increased from 10 to 14 years (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe coroner agreed it is illogical for driving disqualifications not to run consecutively to custodial sentences (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe collision occurred on the N24 at Drombane, Dromkeen, Co Limerick (irishtimes.com)
- whereMr Fehilly suffered fatal injuries in a collision on the N24 at Drombane, Dromkeen, County Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe collision happened on the N24 at Drombane, Dromkeen, Co Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe collision happened on the N24 at Dromkeen, Co Limerick. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe collision happened outside Dromkeen, County Limerick, on the N24. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe fatal collision occurred outside the village of Dromkeen, Co Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whereFehilly and Traynor were both from Clonmel, Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe collision occurred on 4 January 2020 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe collision happened on January 4, 2020. (limerickpost.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- whenPhillips pleaded guilty on a Monday morning to dangerous driving causing death of a motorcyclist. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe collision happened on 4 January 2020. (tipperarylive.ie, limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe collision happened in January 2020. (rte.ie)
- whenThe collision occurred on 4 January 2020 on a fine dry day. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fatal collision occurred on January 4, 2020 (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe collision followed a high-speed chase on the N24. (limerickpost.ie)
- causePhillips took a bend in the road at high speed before the van hit the motorcyclists. (limerickpost.ie)
- weaponA passenger in Stanners’ car struck Phillips’ van with a baseball bat. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationA Garda forensic examination found no indication the van had applied its brakes before the collision (irishtimes.com)
- chargePhillips pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing the death of Maurice Fehilly (irishtimes.com)
- chargePhillips pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Thomas Traynor (irishtimes.com)
- chargePhillips also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Thomas Traynor. (limerickpost.ie, limerickleader.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- chargePhillips pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Thomas Traynor. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargePhillips pleaded guilty to driving without insurance on the same day. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargePhillips pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of motorcyclist Maurice Fehilly. (irishtimes.com)
- chargePhillips pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to motorcyclist Thomas Traynor. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPhillips was remanded on continuing bail for evidence to be heard on 7 March (irishtimes.com)
- courtPhillips appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtPhillips was remanded on continuing bail for evidence to be heard on March 7. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtA man pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death. (extra.ie)
- courtPhillips was arraigned before Judge Sinéad McMullan at Limerick Criminal Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJudge McMullan put sentencing back to Friday, March 7. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtPhillips was remanded on continuing bail. (limerickleader.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
- courtSentencing was put back to Friday, 7 March. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtPhillips was sentenced at a sentencing hearing on the day of the article. (rte.ie)
- courtStanners had previously been found guilty of endangerment. (rte.ie)
- courtStanners was previously convicted of two counts of endangerment. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtStanners does not accept the jury's verdict. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtSentencing was handed down by Judge Sinead McMullan. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtStanners was convicted by a jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court of two counts of endangerment. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePhillips was jailed for five years and nine months for dangerous driving causing Fehilly's death and serious bodily harm to Traynor. (rte.ie)
- sentencePhillips was disqualified from holding a driving licence for ten years. (rte.ie)
- sentenceStanners was jailed for six years and six months. (rte.ie)
- sentenceStanners was disqualified from holding a driving licence for ten years. (rte.ie)
- sentenceStanners was jailed for six and a half years and given a 10-year road ban. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceMichael Stanners, 41, of Pineview Gardens, Moyross, Limerick, was jailed for 6½ years and given a 10-year road ban. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceDaniel Philips, 35, of Crecora Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, was jailed for five years and nine months and given a 10-year road ban. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePhillips received a concurrent three-month sentence for driving without insurance on the same day. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceStanners was found guilty of two counts of endangerment by a jury and jailed for 6½ years with a 10-year driving disqualification (irishtimes.com)
- otherDefence counsel said Phillips continues to suffer the impact of a significant head injury sustained 15 years ago. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe man had survived being shot in the head. (extra.ie)
- otherPhillips's counsel said he had suffered a significant head injury about 15 years earlier. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherShane Fehilly called for the maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing death to be increased from ten to 14 years. (rte.ie)
- otherNancy Traynor said the families felt justice was served, though they would have liked the maximum sentence. (rte.ie)
- otherThe van and car were on the wrong side of the road. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherPhillips was driving a van pursued by a car driven by Stanners, with four men in the car. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherMaurice Fehilly died almost instantly in the collision. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThomas Traynor underwent 22 surgeries after the collision. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThomas Traynor later died. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe judge described Stanners’ driving before the collision as absolutely reprehensible. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe judge said the motorcyclists were travelling perfectly appropriately, in single file and below the speed limit. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe judge said Phillips was not the instigator but was very culpable. (limerickpost.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Sep2026Call for stiffer sentences after ‘crazy’ driver speeding wrong way killed man
Inquest held at Limerick Coroner's Court, Kilmallock; coroner John McNamara endorsed calls for increased maximum sentences and consecutive driving disqualifications; witness depositions and Garda forensic findings presented
victim, Maurice Fehilly, 42, male, irish (judged from name)Maurice Fehillyvictim, Thomas Tom Traynor, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Tom Traynorconvicted, Daniel Phillips, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Phillipsconvicted, Michael Stanners, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Stanners - 21 Mar2025Two men jailed after high-speed chase resulting in motorcyclist’s death
Sentencing details: Stanners convicted by jury of two counts of endangerment, jailed 6½ years with 10-year road ban; Philips pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death (Fehilly), dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm (Traynor), and driving without insurance, jailed 5 years 9 months with 10-year road ban plus concurrent 3 months. Judge Sinéad McMullan described Stanners's driving as 'absolutely reprehensible'.
convicted, Michael Stanners, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Stannersconvicted, Daniel Philips, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Philipsvictim, Maurice Fehilly, male, irish (judged from name)Maurice Fehillyvictim, Thomas Traynor, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Traynorvictim, Tom Conway, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Conway - 21 Mar2025Families ‘got justice’ as men jailed following fatal crash
Reports the sentences handed to Michael Stanners and Daniel Philips, the court's remarks, and the families' reaction. Adds the sentence terms and the families' call for a higher maximum sentence.
victim, Maurice Fehilly, male, irish (judged from name)Maurice Fehillyvictim, Thomas Traynor, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Traynorconvicted, Michael Stanners, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Stannersconvicted, Daniel Philips, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Philips - 21 Mar2025Call over maximum sentences after motorcyclists' deaths
Reports the sentencing hearing on 21 March 2025 and the families' call for a higher maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing death. It gives the sentences of Phillips and Stanners and the 10-year driving disqualifications.
victim, Maurice Fehilly, 54, male, irish (judged from name)Maurice Fehillyvictim, Thomas Traynor, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Traynorconvicted, Daniel Phillips, 35, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Phillipsconvicted, Michael Stanners, 41, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Stanners - 25 Feb2025BREAKING: Man pleads guilty over death of Tipperary motorcyclist
Reports the guilty pleas entered by Daniel Phillips on 24 February 2025 to the death charge and the serious bodily harm charge, the arraignment before Judge Sinéad McMullan, the adjournment of sentencing to 7 March, and continuing bail. Earlier case records show sentencing already reported, so this article covers the plea stage.
convicted, Daniel Phillips, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Phillipsvictim, Maurice Fehilly, 54, male, irish (judged from name)Maurice Fehillyvictim, Thomas Traynor, irish (judged from name)Thomas Traynor - 25 Feb2025Limerick man pleads guilty over death of motorcyclist
Reports Phillips's guilty pleas to both charges, the arraignment before Judge Sinéad McMullan, the remand on continuing bail and the sentencing date of March 7. Also names Thomas Traynor as the second injured motorcyclist.
convicted, Daniel Phillips, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Phillipsvictim, Maurice Fehilly, 54, male, irish (judged from name)Maurice Fehillyvictim, Thomas Traynor, irish (judged from name)Thomas Traynor - 25 Feb2025Man who survived being shot in the head pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death
Only the headline is available; the article body is missing from the supplied text.
accused, male - 24 Feb2025Man who survived being shot in head pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing man’s death
Reports Phillips's guilty pleas to both dangerous driving counts before Judge Sinead McMullan, and that he was remanded on bail pending evidence on March 7. Adds the defence account of his head injury. It does not report a sentence.
convicted, Daniel Phillips, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Phillipsvictim, Maurice Fehilly, 54, male, irish (judged from name)Maurice Fehillyvictim, Thomas Traynor, irish (judged from name)Thomas Traynor - 24 Feb2025Man who survived being shot in head pleads guilty to causing motorcyclist’s death
Phillips, who survived being shot in the head and chest in 2010, pleaded guilty to both charges. He was remanded on continuing bail for evidence to be heard on 7 March 2025.
accused, Daniel Phillips, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Phillipsvictim, Maurice Fehilly, 54, male, irish (judged from name)Maurice Fehillyvictim, Thomas Traynor, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Traynor