Wednesday 28 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. 3041Dangerous driving causing serious injury, driving without insurance · Co. Westmeath · 23 Mar 2025

Man jailed for 195km/h crash that maimed brother in Rathowen, Westmeath

Gerard Duffy McAndrew, 24, was sentenced to two years in prison at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court for dangerous driving causing serious injury after crashing at 195km/h in a 50km/h zone in Rathowen, Westmeath, in March 2025, causing his adopted brother Stephen Murphy to lose his left leg.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced20 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused had been using cannabis and filmed himself drinking wine and driving before the crash. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused was four times the legal drink-drive limit. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe car crashed at high speed into two trees and a kerb at about 2.30am. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe car continued for another 135m before disintegrating and coming to a halt. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim was asleep in the passenger seat and was flung through the windscreen after his seat belt snapped. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí estimated the accused was reaching 163km/h in nearby Ballinalack where the speed limit is 50km/h. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatVideo evidence showed the accused driving with no hands while his brother slept, and drinking from a bottle of wine. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe crash occurred during the early hours of 23 March 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious injury and having no insurance. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced by Judge Keenan Johnson. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDefence counsel Colm Smyth likened the events to a Shakespearean tragedy. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge reduced the sentence from nine years to five years, suspending the final three years on condition of no reoffending or drink or drugs for seven years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe accused was banned from driving for four years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused had been reunited with his adopted brother 18 months before the crash. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused had no previous criminal convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused is an apprentice blocklayer and stonemason from Rathcorbally, Monilea, Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 May2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man (24) who filmed himself drinking at wheel is jailed over 195km/h crash that maimed brother

    Reports the sentencing at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, including details of the crash, video evidence of the driver drinking and using cannabis, the judge's remarks, and the final sentence.

    convicted, Gerard Duffy McAndrew, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard Duffy McAndrewvictim, Stephen Murphy, 29, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen Murphy