Ireland Ex-garda remanded in custody for sentencing over fatal Drogheda hit-and-run
In the early hours of St Patrick's Day, 2024, Niall McEneaney was fatally struck by a car driven by Michael Ball, a former garda, on Rathmullen Road in Drogheda town, County Louth. Investigators found the car's licence plate down the road and went to the home where Ball was staying. Ball pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and failure to offer assistance at a court appearance reported on 1 May 2026 (the page shows 5 May 2026). Judge Dara Hayes remanded him in custody at Dundalk Courthouse, saying a custodial sentence seemed inevitable, and sentencing was adjourned to 15 June pending a victim impact statement.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted1 May
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Niall McEneaney was fatally struck by a car driven by Michael Ball, a former garda.
- Where
- The collision happened on Rathmullen Road in Drogheda town, County Louth.
- When
- The incident occurred in the early hours of St Patrick's Day, 2024.
- Cause
- Ball had acknowledged drinking on the night in question.
- Ball was travelling at up to twice the speed limit before the crash.
- Investigation
- Investigators found the car's licence plate down the road and went to the home where Ball was staying.
- Other details
- Ball was suspended from duty after the incident and later resigned from An Garda Síochána.
- Charges
- Ball pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death and one count of failure to offer assistance.
- In court
- The court appearance where Ball pleaded guilty is dated 1 May 2026 in the record and 5 May 2026 on the article page.
- Judge Dara Hayes remanded Ball in custody at a sentencing hearing at Dundalk Courthouse.
- The judge said a custodial sentence seemed inevitable.
- Sentence
- Sentencing was adjourned to 15 June, pending a victim impact statement.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatNiall McEneaney was fatally struck by Michael Ball's car. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe collision happened in Drogheda town, on Rathmullen Road. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred in the early hours of St Patrick's Day, 2024. (thejournal.ie)
- causeBall had acknowledged drinking on the night in question. (thejournal.ie)
- causeBall was travelling at up to twice the speed limit before the crash. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationInvestigators found the car's licence plate down the road and went to the home where Ball was staying. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeBall pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death and one count of failure to offer assistance. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Dara Hayes remanded Ball in custody at a sentencing hearing at Dundalk Courthouse. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said a custodial sentence seemed inevitable. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceSentencing is expected to be finalised on 15 June, pending a victim impact statement. (thejournal.ie)
- otherBall was suspended from duty after the incident and later resigned from An Garda Síochána. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2026Ex-garda remanded in custody for sentencing over fatal hit-and-run
First report of this case in the source set: the court appearance where Ball pleaded guilty, was remanded in custody, and sentencing was adjourned to 15 June. Includes details of the crash, the intoxication, the speed, the garda investigation and the victim impact statement.
victim, Niall McEneaney, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Niall McEneaneyconvicted, Michael Ball, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Ball