Inquest into 2020 death of Maurice Fehilly in Dromkeen, Co Limerick, hears calls for stiffer sentences
Maurice Fehilly, 42, was knocked off his motorbike and killed when a van driven by Daniel Phillips, 36, hit him at speed on the wrong side of the N24 at Dromkeen village, Co Limerick, on January 4, 2020. Phillips also injured Thomas Tom Traynor in the collision, who died in 2022 after 22 surgeries. In March 2025, Phillips pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing Fehilly's death and was jailed for five years and nine months with a 10-year driving disqualification, while Michael Stanners, 42, who was driving a car pursuing Phillips at speed on the wrong side of the road, was found guilty of two counts of endangerment and jailed for six and a half years. At an inquest held in September 2026 at Limerick Coroner's Court, Kilmallock, the coroner endorsed calls for the maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing death to be increased from 10 to 14 years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court16 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Maurice Fehilly, 42, was knocked off his motorbike and killed by a van driver on the N24 at Dromkeen village, Co Limerick.
- Daniel Phillips, 36, drove the van at speed on the wrong side of the N24 and also injured Thomas Tom Traynor in the collision.
- Thomas Tom Traynor died in 2022 after undergoing 22 surgeries following the collision.
- Michael Stanners, 42, was driving a car pursuing Phillips at speed on the wrong side of the N24 with three passengers.
- When
- The fatal collision occurred on January 4, 2020.
- Investigation
- A Garda forensic examination found no indication the van had applied its brakes before the collision.
- Charges
- Phillips pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing Fehilly's death and admitted dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Traynor.
- Sentence
- In March 2025, Phillips was jailed for five years and nine months and disqualified from driving for 10 years.
- Stanners was found guilty of two counts of endangerment by a jury and jailed for six and a half years with a 10-year driving disqualification.
- In court
- At an inquest in September 2026 at Limerick Coroner's Court, Kilmallock, the coroner endorsed calls for the maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing death to be increased from 10 to 14 years.
- Other details
- The coroner agreed it is illogical for driving disqualifications not to run consecutively to custodial sentences.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMaurice Fehilly was knocked off his motorbike and killed by a van driver on the N24 at Dromkeen village, Co Limerick (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhillips also admitted dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Thomas Tom Traynor (irishtimes.com)
- whatTraynor died in 2022 after undergoing 22 surgeries following the collision (irishtimes.com)
- whatMichael Stanners was driving a car pursuing Phillips at speed on the wrong side of the N24 with three passengers (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe coroner endorsed calls for maximum sentences for dangerous driving causing death to be increased from 10 to 14 years (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe coroner agreed it is illogical for driving disqualifications not to run consecutively to custodial sentences (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fatal collision occurred on January 4, 2020 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA Garda forensic examination found no indication the van had applied its brakes before the collision (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceStanners was found guilty of two counts of endangerment by a jury and jailed for 6½ years with a 10-year driving disqualification (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Sep2026Call for stiffer sentences after ‘crazy’ driver speeding wrong way killed man
Inquest held at Limerick Coroner's Court, Kilmallock; coroner John McNamara endorsed calls for increased maximum sentences and consecutive driving disqualifications; witness depositions and Garda forensic findings presented
victim, Maurice Fehilly, 42, male, irish (judged from name)Maurice Fehillyvictim, Thomas Tom Traynor, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Tom Traynorconvicted, Daniel Phillips, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Phillipsconvicted, Michael Stanners, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Stanners