Ireland Ennis man to get driving licence back early after fatal Limerick hit-and-run
On 4 October 2009 a collision at Ballysimon, County Limerick, killed Aidan Lawless, aged 52, of Rathronan, Clonmel, who was returning home after dropping his daughter at college. The driver, Jason Gormley, a man in his early 50s, left the scene and was arrested sixteen hours later. In 2010 he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and was sentenced to three years in prison and a twenty-year driving ban. On 31 May 2023 Limerick Circuit Court heard his application to restore his licence, which the State opposed, and Judge Thomas O'Donnell ordered it restored from 1 January 2024.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The collision killed Aidan Lawless, aged 52, of Rathronan, Clonmel.
- The driver was Jason Gormley, described as in his early 50s, though one source gives his age as 52.
- When
- The collision happened on 4 October 2009.
- Where
- The collision happened at Ahabeg, Ballysimon, County Limerick.
- Cause
- Gormley was intoxicated at the time and left the scene.
- Investigation
- Gormley was arrested sixteen hours after leaving the scene.
- Charges
- Gormley pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
- Sentence
- In 2010 Gormley was sentenced to three years in prison and a twenty-year driving ban.
- Other details
- Lawless was returning home after dropping his daughter at college in Limerick.
- The judge said Gormley had no convictions before or after the collision.
- Gormley said he refused early release from his prison sentence.
- In court
- On 31 May 2023 Gormley applied at Limerick Circuit Court to renew his licence, and the State objected.
- Accounts differ on how much of the ban was served: the judge understood two thirds, while Inspector Gary Thompson said 63 per cent.
- Judge Thomas O'Donnell restored Gormley's licence, effective from 1 January 2024.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJason Gormley was banned from driving for twenty years for dangerous driving causing death in a Limerick accident. (clareecho.ie)
- whatThe crash killed Aidan Lawless, aged 52. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe collision happened at Ballysimon. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at Ahabeg, Ballysimon. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe collision happened on October 4, 2009. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on October 4, 2009. (clareecho.ie)
- causeGormley was intoxicated at the time and left the scene. (limerickleader.ie)
- causeGormley was drunk and fled the scene. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationGormley was arrested sixteen hours after fleeing the scene. (clareecho.ie)
- courtGormley applied to renew his driving licence, and the State objected. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge understood that two thirds of the 20-year driving ban had been served. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe judge ruled that the licence would be restored from January 1, 2024. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe licence hearing took place at Limerick Circuit Court. (clareecho.ie)
- courtInspector Gary Thompson told the court that 63% of the driving ban had been served. (clareecho.ie)
- courtJudge Thomas O'Donnell restored Gormley's licence, effective from January 1, 2024. (clareecho.ie)
- sentenceGormley was jailed for three years and banned from driving for 20 years in 2010 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceGormley was sentenced to three years in prison and a twenty-year driving ban. (clareecho.ie)
- otherLawless was returning home after dropping his daughter to college in Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherGormley said he refused early release from his prison sentence. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe judge said Gormley had no convictions before or after the fatal collision. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Jun2023Ennis man convicted of drunk driving in fatal hit and run to get his licence back early - Clare Echo
Reports a Limerick Circuit Court hearing on Gormley's application to have his driving licence restored early, with the licence restored effective from January 1, 2024. Adds the sentence, the victim's details and the family's reaction to the hearing.
convicted, Jason Gormley, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason Gormleyvictim, Aidan Lawless, 52, male, irish (judged from name)Aidan Lawless - 31 May2023Drunk driver who killed man in Limerick collision gets his licence back
Reports a licence restoration hearing in Limerick Circuit Court, 31 May 2023. Gormley's apology, the State's objection, and the judge's ruling to restore the licence from 1 January 2024 are new. Adds that Lawless was returning home after dropping his daughter to college, and that Gormley had no convictions before or after the collision.
victim, Aidan Lawless, 52, male, irish (judged from name)Aidan Lawlessconvicted, Jason Gormley, early 50s, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason Gormley