Ireland Driver jailed over 2023 Ballinagar head-on crash that caused fatal injuries
On 17 July 2023, Adam Kelly (28), a man from Castlewood Cottages, Geashill, was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle at Ballycue, Ballinagar, Co. Offaly, the morning after drinking alcohol and taking cocaine. Breda Heffernan, a passenger in the other vehicle, died on 9 August 2023, and a post mortem found the death most likely due to acute broncho pneumonia from polytrauma, including chest wall fractures, received in the collision. Kelly admitted drink and drug driving charges, and a charge of dangerous driving causing death was dropped. He pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm and was sentenced at Tullamore Circuit Court, reported on 25 June 2026, to 14 months with five months suspended for five years and a six-year driving ban, and he was told to present himself at Portlaoise Circuit Court on 26 June to begin the sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced26 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Adam Kelly's car collided head-on with another vehicle.
- Where
- The collision happened at Ballycue, Ballinagar, Co. Offaly.
- When
- The collision happened on 17 July 2023, the morning after Kelly had been drinking and taking cocaine.
- Cause
- Analysis of Kelly's blood showed he was nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit.
- A post mortem found the death most likely due to acute broncho pneumonia from polytrauma, including chest wall fractures received in the collision.
- Other details
- Breda Heffernan, a passenger in the other vehicle, died on 9 August 2023.
- The case record also lists Mary Todd as a victim, and the articles give no further detail about her.
- Kelly was told to present himself at Portlaoise Circuit Court on 26 June to begin his sentence.
- Investigation
- Kelly told a garda at the scene that he had been drink driving and that the accident was his fault.
- Charges
- Kelly admitted drink driving and drug driving charges, and a charge of dangerous driving causing death was dropped.
- In court
- Kelly pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm and was sentenced at Tullamore Circuit Court, reported on 25 June 2026.
- Sentence
- 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.
- The judge said a custodial sentence was needed to deter others.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatKelly's car collided head-on with another vehicle. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe collision happened at Ballycue, Ballinagar. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe offence happened on 17 July 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeKelly had been drinking and taking cocaine the day before the crash. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeAnalysis of Kelly's blood showed he was nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeA post mortem found the death was most likely due to acute broncho pneumonia from polytrauma including chest wall fractures received in the collision. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationKelly told a garda at the scene that he had been drink driving and that the accident was his fault. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeKelly admitted drink driving and drug driving charges, and a charge of dangerous driving causing death was dropped. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtKelly was sentenced at Tullamore Circuit Court after pleading guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceKelly was sentenced to 14 months, with five months suspended for five years. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceKelly was banned from driving for six years. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceConcurrent three-month sentences and one-year disqualifications were imposed for the drink and drug driving offences. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said a custodial sentence was needed to deter others. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherBreda Heffernan, a passenger in the other car, died on 9 August 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherKelly was told to present himself at Portlaoise Circuit Court on 26 June to begin his sentence. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Jun2026Midlands man jailed as court hears grandmother died not long after head-on collision
Reports the sentence of 14 months (five suspended), a six-year driving ban, and the court's findings on intoxication and the victim's death. Dangerous driving causing death was dropped.
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