Ireland Drunk driver jailed for causing death of cyclist Michael Lorigan in Kilkee, Clare
On 16 August 2023 a 70-year-old man, Michael Lorigan, was struck from behind by a car while cycling on the N67 at Baunmore, Kilkee, in west Clare, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Saoirse Lillis McMahon, a 33-year-old woman, had alcohol and drugs including cocaine in her system, and her two young children were in the car. She pleaded guilty early to dangerous driving causing death, and at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford she received a sentence of five years in prison with the final six months suspended, after the headline 96 months was reduced to 60 months for her early guilty plea and remorse. In a sentencing reported on 1 May 2026, she was also given a seven-year driving ban.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A car driven by Saoirse Lillis McMahon struck and killed cyclist Michael Lorigan.
- Where
- The collision happened on the N67 at Baunmore, Kilkee, in west Clare.
- When
- The fatal collision happened on 16 August 2023.
- Cause
- The driver was under the influence of alcohol and had drugs in her system, including cocaine.
- The driver's car struck the cyclist's bicycle from behind.
- Investigation
- Her alcohol test showed 93mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine, above the legal limit.
- A garda crash investigator found she was driving at 81 to 99km/h before impact and did not brake.
- Other details
- Michael Lorigan died from blunt force injuries to the neck and head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
- The driver's two young children were in the car.
- In court
- The case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford.
- The court was told she was uninsured and disqualified on the day, but the disqualification was later overturned on appeal.
- Sentence
- She was sentenced to five years in prison with the final six months suspended, on condition that she cooperates with the Probation Service.
- The headline term of 96 months was reduced to 60 months because of her early guilty plea and remorse.
- She was given a seven-year driving ban.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA drunk driver struck and killed cyclist Michael Lorigan. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe collision happened on the N67 at Baunmore, Kilkee, in west Clare. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe fatal collision happened on 16 August 2023. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe driver was under the influence of alcohol and had drugs in her system, including cocaine. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe driver's car struck the cyclist's bicycle from behind. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationHer alcohol test showed 93mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine, above the legal limit. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA garda crash investigator found she was driving at 81 to 99km/h before impact and did not brake. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court before Judge Francis Comerford. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe court was told she was uninsured and disqualified on the day, but the disqualification was later overturned on appeal. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceShe was sentenced to five years in prison with the final six months suspended. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe suspension is conditional on her cooperating with the Probation Service. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe headline term of 96 months was reduced to 60 months because of her early guilty plea and remorse. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceShe was given a seven-year driving ban. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe driver's two young children were in the car. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMichael Lorigan died from blunt force injuries to the neck and head and was pronounced dead at the scene. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2026Drunk driver who had her children in the car when she hit and killed cyclist jailed
Reports the sentencing of Saoirse Lillis McMahon, including the sentence length, driving ban, probation condition, the alcohol and drug findings, and evidence given in court.
victim, Michael Lorigan, 70, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Loriganconvicted, Saoirse Lillis McMahon, 33, female, named, irish (judged from name)Saoirse Lillis McMahon