Thursday 29 October 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. 0711Careless driving causing death · Co. Westmeath · 8 Feb 2024

Doctor pleads guilty to careless driving causing death of daughter in Westmeath crash

Babak Meshkat, aged 46, of An Cimín Mór, Cappagh Road, Co Galway, was charged after a crash on the M6 at Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath, on 8 February 2024. His six-year-old daughter, Hana Meshkat (spelled Mehkat in some reports), died nine days later at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street in Dublin. Last year he was sent forward for trial to Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. On 30 June 2026 the charge was amended from dangerous driving causing death to careless driving causing death, he pleaded guilty, and Judge Cephas Power remanded him on continuing bail for sentencing on 22 July 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted30 Jun
    2 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Babak Meshkat, aged 46, is a doctor who pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of his six-year-old daughter, Hana Meshkat (spelled Mehkat in some reports).
  • The car involved in the crash was registered in 2021.
Where
  • The crash happened on the M6 at Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath.
  • Babak Meshkat is listed as being of An Cimín Mór, Cappagh Road, Co Galway.
When
  • The crash happened on 8 February 2024.
  • Hana Meshkat died nine days after the crash at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street in Dublin.
Investigation
  • Following a Garda investigation, a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
  • The State provided a 120-page report from the Garda inspection.
Charges
The original charge of dangerous driving causing death was amended to careless driving causing death.
In court
  • Babak Meshkat was sent forward for trial to Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, where the case was heard before Judge Cephas Power.
  • On 30 June 2026 Babak Meshkat replied guilty when the reworded charge was put to him, and defence counsel Gerard Groarke confirmed the case could proceed.
  • Judge Cephas Power remanded Babak Meshkat on continuing bail and directed the preparation of a victim impact statement.
Sentence
Sentencing is set for 22 July 2026.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBabak Meshkat pleaded guilty to careless driving causing his six-year-old daughter's death. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe car involved in the crash was registered in 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe crash happened on the M6 at Rochfortbridge in Co Westmeath. (rte.ie)
  • whereBabak Meshkat lives at An Cimín Mór, Cappagh Road, Co Galway (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe crash occurred on the M6 at Rochfortbridge in Co Westmeath (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe crash happened on 8 February 2024. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe crash occurred on 8 February 2024 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenHana Meshkat died nine days after the crash (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAn investigation file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe State provided a 120-page report from the Garda inspection (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe original charge of dangerous driving causing death was amended to careless driving causing death. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe original charge was dangerous driving causing death (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe charge was amended to careless driving causing death (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused was sent forward for trial to Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtMeshkat replied guilty when the reworded charge was put to him. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Cephas Power presided over the hearing (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBabak Meshkat was remanded on continuing bail (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSentencing is set for 22 July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDefence counsel was Gerard Groarke (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceSentencing is set for 22 July. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe victim died at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street in Dublin nine days later. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge directed the preparation of a victim impact statement. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jun2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Doctor pleads guilty to careless driving causing death of daughter (6)

    First report of the guilty plea; original charge of dangerous driving causing death was amended to careless driving causing death; sentencing adjourned to 22 July 2026.

    victim, Hana Meshkat, 6, female, non-irish (judged from name)Hana Meshkataccused, Babak Meshkat, 46, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Babak Meshkat
  2. 30 Jun2026
    Convictedrte.ie, first report
    Doctor admits careless driving causing daughter's death

    Meshkat pleaded guilty after the charge was amended from dangerous driving causing death to careless driving causing death. He was remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on 22 July.

    convicted, Babak Meshkat, 46, namedBabak Meshkatvictim, Hana Mehkat, 6, femaleHana Mehkat