Friday 6 November 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. 28761Dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm · Co. Longford · 10 Sep 2017

High Court awards €2.85m in Longford dangerous driving case

Stephen Roche, a 30-year-old father of two, suffered catastrophic brain injuries after being knocked down by a van on Main Street, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, on 10 September 2017. Aaron Cassidy, of Cranleymore, Edgeworthstown, was convicted of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and jailed for five years by Longford Circuit Criminal Court in June 2020. Cassidy lost an appeal against his sentence in June 2021, with the Court of Appeal describing it as generous. The High Court awarded Roche €2.85 million in damages in December 2021.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Stephen Roche suffered catastrophic brain injuries after being knocked down by a van.
Where
The incident occurred on Main Street, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford.
When
The incident occurred on 10 September 2017.
Cause
The van was driven by an uninsured driver.
Charges
Aaron Cassidy was convicted of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm.
In court
  • Cassidy was jailed for five years by Longford Circuit Criminal Court in June 2020.
  • Cassidy lost an appeal in June 2021, with the Court of Appeal finding the sentence generous and the appeal lacking in merit.
Sentence
The High Court awarded €2.85 million to Stephen Roche in December 2021.
Other details
  • Roche sued through his sister Tracey Golden.
  • Cassidy is described as a motor racing enthusiast.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatStephen Roche suffered catastrophic brain injuries (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatHe was knocked down by a van (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatStephen Roche is a father of two (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred on Main Street, Edgeworthstown (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereAaron Cassidy is from Cranleymore, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 10 September 2017 (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe van was driven by an uninsured driver (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeCassidy was convicted of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtCassidy was jailed by Longford Circuit Criminal Court in June 2020 (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe settlement is against the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtCassidy lost an appeal against his five-year jail sentence in June 2021 (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal found the sentence was generous and the appeal utterly lacking in merit (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtPresident of the Court of Appeal said the sentence was a very lenient one (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe President decided not to increase the sentence because it fell within the available range (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe High Court awarded €2.85 million to Stephen Roche (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMr Roche sued through his sister Tracey Golden (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherCassidy is described as a motor racing enthusiast (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherCassidy went ahead with his appeal despite lawyers advising the court could increase the sentence (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Dec2021
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Almost €3 million High Court award for pedestrian in the Midlands who suffered 'catastrophic brain injuries'

    High Court civil damages award of €2.85m against MIBI and Cassidy; also details Cassidy's 2020 conviction, five-year sentence, and his failed 2021 appeal.

    victim, Stephen Roche, 30, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen Rocheconvicted, Aaron Cassidy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Cassidy