Ireland Case No. 17484Careless driving causing death · Co. Kildare · 20 Aug 2022
Driver sentenced for careless driving causing death in Kildare
On 20 August 2022, Douglas Ryder, 27, of Donadea, was driving a lorry tractor unit at Firmount East near Clane, Kildare, when he struck cyclist Michael Fleming, 64, from behind into a ditch. Fleming died at the scene from multiple traumatic injuries. Ryder was initially charged with dangerous driving causing death and appeared at Naas District Court in early 2023, where he was granted bail. He later admitted careless driving causing death and was sentenced at Naas Circuit Court on 24 April 2024 to an 18-month prison term suspended for two years, a four-year driving disqualification, and €5,000 in charity payments.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 Mar
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced24 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Douglas Ryder was driving a lorry tractor unit in the same direction as cyclist Michael Fleming when he struck him from behind into a ditch.
- Michael Fleming, aged 64 (reports differ: 63), died at the scene from multiple traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at 8.57am.
- Where
- The collision occurred at Firmount East, between Firmount Cross and Millicent Cross, near Clane, Kildare.
- When
- The accident happened on 20 August 2022 at 8.13am.
- Cause
- Ryder had been blinded by sunlight, and the court heard he had been driving in excess of the speed limit and had not taken rest periods.
- Charges
- Ryder, 27 (reports differ: 28), was initially charged with dangerous driving causing death and later admitted careless driving causing death.
- In court
- Ryder appeared at Naas District Court in early 2023, was granted bail of €5,000, and the case was adjourned to 25 May 2023.
- Judge Martina Baxter said the deceased was not at fault and noted Ryder did not use his phone and was in shock.
- Sentence
- Ryder was sentenced at Naas Circuit Court on 24 April 2024 to an 18-month prison term suspended for two years.
- Ryder was disqualified from driving for four years and ordered to pay €2,500 to the National Rehabilitation Hospital and €2,500 to the Irish Cancer Society.
- Other details
- Ryder, of The Haven, Gilltown, Donadea, and others rendered medical assistance to Fleming at the scene.
28 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe defendant was driving a lorry tractor unit going in the same direction as the cyclist. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMichael Fleming was struck from behind into a ditch. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe defendant and others rendered medical assistance to Mr Fleming. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMichael Fleming was aged 64 and passed away shortly before 9am at the scene. (kildarenow.com)
- whatDouglas Ryder was a lorry tractor unit driver who collided with a cyclist. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMichael Fleming was pronounced dead at 8.57. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe accident occurred at Firmount East, between Firmount Cross and Millicent Cross. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe collision happened at Firmount East. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe defendant was driving near Clane in the same direction as the cyclist. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe accident occurred on 20 August 2022, soon after 8am. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe collision happened on 20 August 2022. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe accident occurred at 8.13. (kildarenow.com)
- causeMr Fleming was struck from behind. (kildarenow.com)
- causeThe defendant had been blinded by sunlight. (kildarenow.com)
- causeMichael Fleming died from multiple traumatic injuries. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeDouglas Ryder admitted careless driving causing death. (kildarenow.com)
- courtBarrister Mark Gibbons applied for bail for the defendant at Naas District Court. (kildarenow.com)
- courtGardaí were given permission to re-enter the case to revoke bail if conditions were not adhered to. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 25 May. (kildarenow.com)
- courtJudge Martina Baxter said the deceased was not at fault in any fashion. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceDouglas Ryder was given an 18-month prison sentence at Naas Circuit Court. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe prison sentence was suspended for two years. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceDouglas Ryder was disqualified from driving for four years. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceDouglas Ryder was ordered to pay €2,500 to the National Rehabilitation Hospital and €2,500 to the Irish Cancer Society. (kildarenow.com)
- otherDouglas Ryder, 27, of The Haven, Gilltown, Donadea, faces the allegation. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe judge welcomed the appointment of a family liaison officer. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe court heard the defendant was driving in excess of the speed limit for a period and rest periods were not taken. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe judge noted the defendant did not use his phone at the time and was in shock. (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Apr2024BREAKING: Court imposes suspended jail term on fatal crash lorry driver as widow says 'their dad won't be there when I die'
Reports the sentencing at Naas Circuit Court, including the suspended sentence, disqualification, charity payments and the judge's remarks. No existing case matches this 2022 incident.
convicted, Douglas Ryder, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Douglas Rydervictim, Michael Fleming, 63, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Fleming - 1 Mar2023Kildare man in court over Naas cyclist's road death
Initial court appearance: Ryder was granted bail of €5,000 with conditions including no contact with the victim's family, friends or State witnesses; case adjourned to 25 May 2023. Article states the charge as dangerous driving causing death and gives Fleming's age as 64.
victim, Michael Fleming, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Flemingsuspect, Douglas Ryder, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Douglas Ryder