Ireland Driver pleads guilty over Clonmany crash that left friend with brain injury
On 13 September 2021 on Main Street in Clonmany, Co Donegal, Stephen Kelly, a man, suffered a serious brain injury after he was thrown to the ground when Adam McCarron, the driver of the car he was riding on, braked suddenly. McCarron was later convicted of dangerous driving and drink driving over a February 2023 incident and disqualified for three years. On 1 May 2024 at Letterkenny Circuit Court he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and two counts of endangerment. The judge adjourned the case to 11 June 2024, asked the Probation Services to update their report on the later convictions, and said he was reconsidering a non-custodial sentence, so sentencing awaits that hearing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 May
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A driver sped around the Co Donegal village of Clonmany with one friend on the car roof and another on the bonnet.
- Where
- The incident happened on Main Street in Clonmany, a village in Co Donegal.
- When
- The incident happened on 13 September 2021.
- Cause
- Adam McCarron braked suddenly, sending the victim crashing to the ground.
- Other details
- Stephen Kelly suffered a serious brain injury and spent 10 weeks at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dublin.
- McCarron had no previous convictions before this incident and has since completed the Pro Social Drivers Course.
- Investigation
- CCTV footage played in court showed the two men coming out of a pub and getting onto the car.
- A breath test on McCarron on the night was negative for alcohol.
- In court
- McCarron was convicted of dangerous driving and drink driving over a later incident in February 2023 and disqualified for three years.
- The judge asked the Probation Services to update their report on the later convictions and adjourned the case to 11 June 2024.
- Charges
- On 1 May 2024 McCarron pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and two counts of endangerment.
- Sentence
- The judge said he would have considered a non-custodial sentence but was reconsidering in light of the later convictions.
24 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA driver sped around a Co Donegal village with one friend on the roof of his car and another on the bonnet. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe driver sped around the village with one man on the car roof and another on the bonnet. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMr Kelly suffered a serious brain injury. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at Main Street, Clonmany. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened on Main Street in Clonmany, a village in Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 13 September 2021. (thejournal.ie, donegallive.ie)
- causeMcCarron braked suddenly, sending the victim crashing to the ground. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage played in court showed the two men coming out of a pub and getting onto the car. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationA breath test on the accused on the night was negative for alcohol. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcCarron pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and two counts of endangerment. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeMcCarron pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and to two counts of endangerment. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMcCarron had been found guilty of dangerous driving and drink driving after a February 2023 incident and was disqualified for three years. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge asked the Probation Services to update their report on the subsequent convictions. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case until June 11. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case until June 11, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said he would have considered a non-custodial sentence but was reconsidering because of the later conviction. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said he would have considered a non-custodial sentence but was reconsidering in light of the later convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- otherStephen Kelly suffered a serious brain injury and spent 10 weeks at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- otherA breath test on McCarron on the night was negative for alcohol. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMcCarron accepted full responsibility for what happened on the night. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMcCarron had no previous convictions before this incident. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMcCarron has since completed the Pro Social Drivers Course. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMr Kelly spent 10 weeks at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dublin. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMcCarron had been found guilty of dangerous driving and drink driving after a later incident in February 2023. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2024Donegal man in court after crashing car in village with men on roof and bonnet
First report of this case. McCarron pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court; the judge reserved his position and adjourned the case to June 11, 2024. The article reports a later conviction for dangerous and drink driving in February 2023, and a three-year driving ban.
accused, Adam McCarron, male, named, irish (judged from name)Adam McCarronvictim, Stephen Kelly, 22, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen Kelly - 1 May2024Man sped around village with friends on car roof and bonnet before tragedy
Reports McCarron's guilty plea at Letterkenny Circuit Court, the victim's injuries and recovery, and the judge's adjournment for further reports before sentencing, including a later dangerous and drink driving conviction.
convicted, Adam McCarron, male, named, irish (judged from name)Adam McCarronvictim, Stephen Kelly, 22, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen Kelly