Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 22216Careless driving causing death; road traffic incident (fatal) · Co. Sligo · 13 Aug 2015

Court of Appeal rules truck company, not council, liable for fatal N4 crash near Castlebaldwin

The Court of Appeal ruled that MDS Distribution Ltd, not Sligo County Council, bore full liability for a 2015 crash on the N4 near Castlebaldwin in which a lorry driver fell asleep at the wheel, killing council worker Padraig Noone (63) and injuring several colleagues. The appeal by MDS was dismissed, upholding the High Court finding that the council's failure to provide a lateral safety zone was overwhelmed by the driver's negligence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe truck hit council workers who were cutting hedges and clearing drains. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCouncil worker Padraig Noone, aged 63, died in the crash. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCouncil worker Damien Davey and a number of colleagues were injured. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe lorry driver was Vlastimil Zachar, 47, a Czech national from Newbridge, Co Kildare. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMore than two years after the crash, the driver was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe truck collided with the rear of a council works truck which then hit a digger. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe crash took place on the N4 near Castlebaldwin, County Sligo. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe crash occurred on the morning of 13 August 2015. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe lorry driver fell asleep at the wheel. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed MDS's appeal in two separate judgments. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh concurred that the council was not liable. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Caroline Costello also agreed with the judgments. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe lorry driver was fined and banned from driving for seven years for careless driving causing death. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSeven legal actions were brought over the crash. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Feb2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Company, not council, liable for lorry’s fatal crash into roadworkers, appeal court holds

    Court of Appeal judgment dismissing MDS Distribution Ltd's appeal against the High Court ruling on civil liability; confirms the council bore no liability and the truck company and driver bore full responsibility.

    victim, Padraig Noone, 63, male, irish (judged from name)Padraig Noonevictim, Damien Davey, male, irish (judged from name)Damien Daveyconvicted, Vlastimil Zachar, 47, male, Czech, named, non-irishVlastimil Zachar