Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 14829Careless driving causing death · Co. Kerry · 17 Jul 2020

Family awarded €850,000 after woman killed by truck in Kerry

On 17 July 2020, Joanne Davies, 50, also known as Joanne Downey, was struck by a truck from Healy Rae Plant Hire while crossing a zebra crossing at Ardnannweely, Killarney, Co Kerry, and died. The truck was driven by Seán Tangney, who was charged with careless driving causing death. Tangney was acquitted in June 2024 at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court. On 23 January 2025, the High Court in Cork awarded Ms Davies's family €850,000 in damages, after Healy Rae Plant Hire accepted liability in seven cases taken by her children.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Joanne Davies, 50, died after being struck by a truck from Healy Rae Plant Hire.
Where
The collision happened at Ardnannweely, Killarney, Co Kerry.
When
Ms Davies was struck on 17 July 2020.
Other details
  • Ms Davies, also known as Joanne Downey, was walking across a zebra crossing on her way to a Covid-19 test.
  • On 23 January 2025, the High Court in Cork awarded the family €850,000 in damages.
  • The settlement included special damages of €6,000, legal costs of €37,000 and €35,000 for mental distress.
Cause
  • The truck was driven by Seán Tangney.
  • The driver said he had not seen Ms Davies before the collision.
Investigation
Gardaí believed the truck driver should have seen Ms Davies.
Charges
Seán Tangney was charged with careless driving causing Ms Davies's death.
In court
  • Tangney was acquitted in June 2024 at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court.
  • Healy Rae Plant Hire accepted liability in seven High Court cases taken by Ms Davies's children.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe family of Joanne Davies was awarded €850,000 in damages at the High Court in Cork. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe collision happened at Ardnannweely, Killarney. (rte.ie)
  • whenJoanne Davies was struck by a truck on 17 July 2020. (rte.ie)
  • causeMs Davies was struck by a truck from the Healy Rae plant hire company in Kerry. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe driver said he had not seen Ms Davies before the collision. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí believed the truck driver should have seen Ms Davies. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe driver was acquitted of one count of careless driving causing Ms Davies's death. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe criminal trial was held at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtHealy Rae Plant Hire accepted liability for Ms Davies's death in seven High Court cases taken by her children. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe settlement included special damages of €6,000, legal costs of €37,000 and €35,000 for mental distress. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Jan2025
    Otherrte.ie, first report
    Family awarded €850k after woman killed by truck in Kerry

    Civil High Court damages award of €850,000 to the family; Healy Rae Plant Hire accepted liability in seven High Court cases. The driver, Seán Tangney, had been acquitted in June of last year of careless driving causing Ms Davies's death at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court.

    victim, Joanne Davies, 50, female, irish (judged from name)Joanne Daviesaccused, Seán Tangney, 71, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Tangney