Case No. 3161Dangerous driving causing death, failure to offer assistance following a collision · Co. Louth · 17 Mar 2024
Garda remanded in custody pending sentencing over fatal hit-and-run in Drogheda
Michael Ball, a 28-year-old former garda from Co Donegal, was remanded in custody at Dundalk Circuit Court on 5 May 2026 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death and failure to offer assistance following a fatal collision with Niall McEneaney, 45, on Rathmullen Road, Drogheda, in the early hours of 17 March 2024. Judge Dara Hayes indicated a custodial sentence was inevitable and set sentencing for 15 June 2026 pending a victim impact statement.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBall was 28 years old and originally from Co Donegal. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBall was suspended from duty and later resigned from An Garda Síochána. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBall acknowledged drinking on the night and was travelling at up to twice the speed limit before the crash. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí determined Ball was travelling at between 107km/h and 110km/h before the collision, with a speed limit of 50km/h. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe road surface was wet or damp and it was foggy at the time of the crash. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCCTV showed Ball had been socialising with friends and colleagues and drinking beer before the crash. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcEneaney was two minutes from home and had been intending to cross at a pedestrian crossing. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIn May 2024, Ball submitted a statement acknowledging his role in the crash and saying he was filled with remorse. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcEneaney was well known in the Louth GAA community. (irishtimes.com)
- whenBall returned to the Garda station car park at 1.56am before driving in the direction of Rathmullen Road. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBall pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death and one count of failure to offer assistance following the collision. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Dara Hayes remanded Ball in custody until 15 June 2026 pending finalisation of the sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge stated that a custodial sentence seemed inevitable. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 May2026Wife of man killed by garda in Drogheda hit-and-run says her life has been ‘torn in half’
Sentencing hearing at Dundalk Circuit Court; Ball remanded in custody pending finalisation of sentence on 15 June 2026. Details of the crash, Ball's intoxication, speed, and the victim's circumstances provided by Fiosrú officer Alma Gavin.
accused, Michael Ball, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Ballvictim, Niall McEneaney, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Niall McEneaneyvictim, Grace Martin, female, irish (judged from name)Grace Martin