Thursday 29 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. 9769Dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm · Co. Dublin · 24 Oct 2024

Learner driver given suspended sentence over Shankill car incident

On 24 October 2024 at Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill, Dublin, learner driver Lana Dowling was moving a car forward while her then-partner was on the bonnet, and the partner fell and was run over. The injured woman suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures and other serious injuries. Dowling pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, and at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Nolan imposed a two-year sentence suspended in full and disqualified her from driving for five years, as reported on 22 May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Lana Dowling, of Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill, Dublin, was a learner driver at the time of the incident.
  • Her then-partner fell and was run over by the car.
  • The injured woman suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures and other serious injuries, and was in a coma for several days.
Where
The incident took place at Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill, Dublin.
When
The incident occurred on 24 October 2024.
Cause
Dowling was moving the car forward while her then-partner was on the bonnet; the article headline describes the incident as 'horseplay'.
Investigation
  • Gardaí attended the scene at around 2.40pm after a 999 call about a road traffic collision.
  • Dowling passed a roadside breath test and a drug swipe test.
Other details
  • Dowling was not accompanied by an experienced driver and has no previous convictions.
  • Sources disagree on the article date: its metadata gives 1 May 2026, while the article text gives 22 May 2026 as the sentencing report publication date.
Charges
Dowling pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
Judge Nolan imposed a two-year sentence, suspended in full, and disqualified Dowling from driving for five years.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe partner fell and was run over by the car. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe injured woman suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures and other serious injuries. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place at Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 24 October 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeDowling was moving the car forward while her then-partner was on the bonnet. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí attended the scene at around 2.40pm after a 999 call about a road traffic collision. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeDowling pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Nolan imposed a two-year sentence, suspended in full, and disqualified Dowling from driving for five years. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherDowling passed a roadside breath test and a drug swipe test. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherDowling was a learner driver not accompanied by an experienced driver. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherDowling has no previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Learner driver who ran over partner during 'horseplay' given a two-year suspended sentence

    Sentencing report from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, published 22 May 2026. It gives the sentence, the injuries, the garda account and the defence mitigation.

    convicted, Lana Dowling, 20, female, named, irish (judged from name)Lana Dowlingvictim, female