Garda Neil Doyle charged with careless driving causing serious bodily harm in M50 collision
João Henrique Ferreira, 25, a Brazilian man who had lived in Ireland for five years, lost part of his right leg when he was struck by a Garda vehicle near Junction 11 North on the M50 in Tallaght, Dublin, on 28 October 2023 while assisting friends in locating a stolen bicycle. Following an investigation by Fiosrú, the police ombudsman, Garda Neil Doyle of Dundrum Garda Station was charged with careless driving causing serious bodily harm, though one account reports the charge as dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. At the first listing at Dublin District Court on 8 May 2025, the accused did not indicate a plea and the case was adjourned to 12 June 2025. Mr Ferreira, who travelled from Brazil for the hearing, is due to return to Brazil for further prosthetic surgery.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged8 May
- In court8 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- João Henrique Ferreira, 25, a Brazilian man who had lived in Ireland for five years, was struck by a Garda vehicle while assisting friends in locating a stolen bicycle and lost part of his right leg.
- Where
- The incident occurred near Junction 11 North on the M50 in Tallaght, Dublin 24.
- When
- The incident occurred on 28 October 2023.
- Investigation
- Criminal proceedings followed an investigation by Fiosrú, the police ombudsman formerly known as Gsoc.
- Charges
- Garda Neil Doyle of Dundrum Garda Station is charged with careless driving causing serious bodily harm, though one account reports the charge as dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm.
- In court
- At the first listing at Dublin District Court on 8 May 2025 before Judge Michele Finan, the accused did not indicate a plea and his barrister requested disclosure of prosecution evidence.
- The DPP directed that the case could be disposed of summarily in the District Court only on a guilty plea; otherwise it would proceed to the Circuit Court.
- The case was adjourned to 12 June 2025 for the defence to consider disclosure, a plea, and jurisdiction.
- Other details
- Mr Ferreira travelled from Brazil for the hearing and is due to return to Brazil for further prosthetic surgery.
29 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJoão Henrique Ferreira, 25, had lived in Ireland for five years (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe suffered serious injuries when hit by a car at a slip road to the motorway in Tallaght (irishtimes.com)
- whatAt the time of the incident he had been assisting friends in locating a stolen bicycle (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Ferreira was among several Brazilians trying to assist a friend in recovering a stolen bicycle by following a tracking device (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí were also involved in the search for the stolen bicycle (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Ferreira was struck by a Garda vehicle and lost part of his right leg (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred near Junction 11 North in Tallaght, Dublin 24 (irishmirror.ie)
- whereGarda Doyle is stationed at Dundrum Garda Station (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCriminal proceedings began following an investigation by Fiosrú, formerly Gsoc (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe charge is dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm at Junction 11 north, at the M50 on October 28th, 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeGarda Neil Doyle is charged with careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Joao Ferreira on October 28, 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtGarda Neil Doyle of Dundrum Garda station was summonsed to appear at Dublin District Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe garda was dressed in a suit and tie, stood forward when the case was called, but did not address the court (irishtimes.com)
- courtThis was the first listing of the case (irishtimes.com)
- courtLawrence Masterson BL, instructed by solicitor Daniel Hughes, was representing Mr Ferreira (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP had authorised the case to stay in the District Court if the accused pleaded guilty (irishtimes.com)
- courtOtherwise the case would have to go to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused has not indicated a plea and his barrister asked for disclosure of prosecution evidence (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe prosecutor sought a four-week adjournment, which the judge granted (irishtimes.com)
- courtGarda Doyle must return on June 12th to indicate a plea, for the court to consider jurisdiction, and to confirm his trial venue (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed summary disposal on a guilty plea only in the district court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned until June 12 for the defence to consider disclosure, a plea and jurisdiction (irishmirror.ie)
- courtProsecution counsel was Lawrence Masterson (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMr Ferreira had travelled back from Brazil solely for the proceedings (irishtimes.com)
- otherFerreira was anxious for the court to hear from him about the seriousness of the injuries (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Ferreira was set to go back to Brazil for further prosthetic surgery in two weeks (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Ferreira is due to have further prosthetic surgery in Brazil in two weeks (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGarda Doyle was not required to address the court during the short hearing (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 May2025Garda charged after Deliveroo driver lost part of leg in Garda car M50 collision
First court appearance at Dublin District Court before Judge Michele Finan; DPP directed summary disposal on a guilty plea only; disclosure order granted; case adjourned to 12 June for defence to consider disclosure, plea and jurisdiction.
victim, João Henrique Ferreira, 25, male, Brazilian, non-irishJoão Henrique Ferreirasuspect, Neil Doyle, male, named, irish (judged from name)Neil Doyle - 8 May2025Garda faces trial after Brazilian delivery driver’s leg severed at M50
First court listing at Dublin District Court; accused has not indicated a plea; four-week adjournment granted with return date 12 June 2025; Fiosrú investigation preceded criminal proceedings; victim travelled from Brazil for the hearing and is due to return for further prosthetic surgery.
victim, João Henrique Ferreira, 25, male, Brazilian, non-irishJoão Henrique Ferreirasuspect, Neil Doyle, male, named, irish (judged from name)Neil Doyle