Friday 30 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. 17484Careless driving causing death · Co. Kildare · 20 Aug 2022

Lorry driver given suspended sentence over fatal Kildare cycling crash

On 20 August 2022, lorry tractor unit driver Douglas Ryder, 28, collided with cyclist Michael Fleming at Firmount East near Clane, Co Kildare, and Mr Fleming died from multiple traumatic injuries. Ryder was charged with careless driving causing death and admitted the offence. On 24 April 2024, Judge Martina Baxter at Naas Circuit Court imposed an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years, disqualified him from driving for four years, and ordered him to pay €2,500 each to the National Rehabilitation Hospital and the Irish Cancer Society. The sentencing is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Douglas Ryder, 28, was driving a lorry tractor unit that collided with a cyclist.
  • The cyclist, Michael Fleming, died from multiple traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at 8.57.
Where
The collision happened at Firmount East, near Clane, Co Kildare.
When
The collision happened on 20 August 2022 at about 8.13.
Cause
  • Mr Fleming was struck from behind by the lorry, which was travelling in the same direction as him.
  • The court heard the defendant had been blinded by sunlight.
  • The court heard the defendant had been driving over the speed limit for a period and had not taken rest breaks.
Other details
The judge noted the defendant was not using his phone at the time and was in shock.
Charges
Ryder admitted a charge of careless driving causing death.
In court
Judge Martina Baxter said the deceased was not at fault in any fashion.
Sentence
  • On 24 April 2024 at Naas Circuit Court, Ryder was given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
  • Ryder was disqualified from driving for four years.
  • Ryder was ordered to pay €2,500 to the National Rehabilitation Hospital and €2,500 to the Irish Cancer Society.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDouglas Ryder was a lorry tractor unit driver who collided with a cyclist. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatMichael Fleming was pronounced dead at 8.57. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe collision happened at Firmount East. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe defendant was driving near Clane in the same direction as the cyclist. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe collision happened on 20 August 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe accident occurred at 8.13. (kildarenow.com)
  • causeMr Fleming was struck from behind. (kildarenow.com)
  • causeThe defendant had been blinded by sunlight. (kildarenow.com)
  • causeMichael Fleming died from multiple traumatic injuries. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeDouglas Ryder admitted careless driving causing death. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJudge Martina Baxter said the deceased was not at fault in any fashion. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceDouglas Ryder was given an 18-month prison sentence at Naas Circuit Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe prison sentence was suspended for two years. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceDouglas Ryder was disqualified from driving for four years. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceDouglas Ryder was ordered to pay €2,500 to the National Rehabilitation Hospital and €2,500 to the Irish Cancer Society. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe court heard the defendant was driving in excess of the speed limit for a period and rest periods were not taken. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe judge noted the defendant did not use his phone at the time and was in shock. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Apr2024
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, first report
    BREAKING: Court imposes suspended jail term on fatal crash lorry driver as widow says 'their dad won't be there when I die'

    Reports the sentencing at Naas Circuit Court, including the suspended sentence, disqualification, charity payments and the judge's remarks. No existing case matches this 2022 incident.

    convicted, Douglas Ryder, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Douglas Rydervictim, Michael Fleming, 63, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Fleming