Saturday 31 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. 18494Dangerous driving causing death · Co. Louth · 2 Mar 2021

Lorry driver jailed for dangerous driving causing death near Dundalk

On 2 March 2021 a collision occurred on the main Dundalk/Greenore Road at Loughanmore, Jenkinstown, Co Louth, when a lorry driven by Arturas Dorsa, a 55 year old Lithuanian man, crossed onto the wrong side of the road and hit a car driven by Paul Sheelan, a 53 year old man, who died about two hours later. Dorsa was later charged with dangerous driving causing death and pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court. On 25 January 2024 the Dundalk Democrat reported that he had been jailed, though its sources differ on whether the term was 18 months or 2 years and 9 months with the final 15 months suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A lorry driven by Arturas Dorsa crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided with a car driven by Paul Sheelan.
Where
The collision happened on the main Dundalk/Greenore Road at Loughanmore, Jenkinstown, Co Louth.
When
The collision occurred on 2 March 2021, shortly after 2pm.
Other details
  • Paul Sheelan, a 53 year old man, died from multiple traumatic injuries about two hours after the collision.
  • Arturas Dorsa is a 55 year old lorry driver recorded as Lithuanian, with an address at the time in Monaghan.
  • Police found no defaults on the lorry or trailer, and the court heard there was no intoxication or mobile phone use.
  • Dorsa had no previous convictions and had moved to Ireland in 2019.
Cause
The tachograph showed the lorry travelling at 61kph at impact, where a 60kph limit applies, but the court heard there was no speeding.
Investigation
The lorry's dash cam had been removed, and an SD card was found broken in two in a nearby field.
In court
The defence said the only explanation was that the driver was tired and had fallen asleep.
Charges
Dorsa pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
Sentence
The Dundalk Democrat reported on 25 January 2024 that Dorsa was jailed for 18 months at Dundalk Circuit Court, while its body text says he received two years and nine months with the final 15 months suspended on a bond of good behaviour for 15 months after release.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe collision happened on the main Dundalk/Greenore Road. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe death occurred following a collision on 2 March 2021. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe lorry suddenly crossed onto the incorrect side of the road and collided with a car. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe tachograph showed the lorry was travelling at 61kph at impact, where a 60kph limit applies. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe lorry's dash cam had been removed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationAn SD card was found broken in two in a nearby field. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe defence said the only explanation was that the driver was tired and had fallen asleep. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge Dara Hayes delivered the judgment. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe driver was reported as jailed for 18 months at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a sentence of two years and nine months, suspending the final 15 months on a bond to be of good behaviour for 15 months after release. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim died from multiple traumatic injuries two hours after the collision. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherNo defaults were found on the lorry or trailer. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe court heard there was no speeding, intoxication or mobile phone use. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe driver had no previous convictions and had moved to Ireland in 2019. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jan2024
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Dundalk court: Lorry driver jailed for dangerous driving causing death

    Reports the guilty plea, the sentence and the judge's reasoning; the article gives two different sentence descriptions (jailed for 18 months in the lead, and two years and nine months with 15 months suspended in the body).

    convicted, Arturas Dorsa, 55, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishArturas Dorsavictim, Paul Sheelan, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Sheelan