Ireland Court of Appeal halves driving ban for woman who caused motorcyclist's death on M50
On 19 November 2019, Sandra Kavanagh, a 48-year-old woman, moved her car part-way into the hard shoulder of the M50 near Finglas, Dublin, during heavy morning traffic and collided with a motorcyclist, Nebojsa Sarcevic, a 29-year-old Serbian man, who died of his injuries later that day. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death, and the trial judge initially disqualified her from driving for one year after both sides mistakenly said a four-year ban was mandatory. On 11 April 2024 the Court of Appeal quashed the four-year ban and replaced it with a two-year ban, and her eight-month fully suspended sentence remains on her record.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced11 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sandra Kavanagh moved her car part-way into the hard shoulder and collided with a motorcyclist.
- The motorcyclist, Nebojsa Sarcevic, a 29-year-old Serbian man, died of his injuries later that day.
- Where
- The collision happened on the M50 near Finglas in Dublin during heavy morning traffic.
- When
- The collision occurred on 19 November 2019.
- The key facts give 19 November 2019 as the date of the guilty plea, while the collision is dated to the same day; the date of the plea is otherwise not given in the sources.
- Cause
- It is not known why Kavanagh drove onto the hard shoulder.
- Other details
- Kavanagh was not speeding, had no drugs or alcohol in her system and was not on her mobile phone.
- Kavanagh had four previous convictions for road traffic offences.
- Investigation
- Gardaí questioned Kavanagh later on the day of the collision.
- Charges
- Kavanagh pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death.
- In court
- The trial judge initially disqualified Kavanagh from driving for one year.
- The defence and prosecution both mistakenly told the trial judge that a four-year driving ban was mandatory.
- Sentence
- On 11 April 2024 the Court of Appeal quashed the four-year driving ban and replaced it with a two-year ban.
- The eight-month fully suspended sentence remains on Kavanagh's record.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatKavanagh moved her car part-way into the hard shoulder and collided with a motorcyclist. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe motorcyclist died of his injuries later that day. (thejournal.ie)
- whatKavanagh had four previous convictions for road traffic offences. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe collision happened on the M50 in Dublin during heavy morning traffic. (thejournal.ie)
- whenKavanagh pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death on the M50 near Finglas on 19 November 2019. (thejournal.ie)
- causeIt was not known why Kavanagh drove onto the hard shoulder. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationKavanagh was questioned by gardaí later that day. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeBoth the defence and prosecution had mistakenly told the trial judge there was a mandatory four-year driving ban. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe trial judge initially disqualified Kavanagh from driving for one year. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe Court of Appeal quashed the four-year ban and replaced it with a two-year ban. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe eight-month fully suspended sentence remains on Kavanagh's record. (thejournal.ie)
- otherKavanagh was not speeding, had no drugs or alcohol in her system and was not on her mobile phone. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Apr2024Woman's driving ban for causing death of motorcyclist halved by Court of Appeal
Court of Appeal quashed the four-year driving ban and replaced it with a two-year ban; the eight-month fully suspended sentence remains on her record.
convicted, Sandra Kavanagh, 48, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sandra Kavanaghvictim, Nebojsa Sarcevic, 29, male, Serbian, non-irishNebojsa Sarcevic