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. 6934Dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm · Co. Dublin · 25 Oct 2022

Man jailed for reversing car into neighbour in Tallaght, causing serious injury

On October 25th 2022, Stephen Cunningham, a 55-year-old man of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, reversed his car onto a footpath and into his neighbour Paul Sutton, also 55, at the entrance to the Cushlawn Park housing estate, causing serious injury to Mr Sutton's knee. Gardaí called to Cunningham's house and arrested him, and he later pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. He was sentenced to three and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, and disqualified from driving for ten years, as reported on December 15th 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Stephen Cunningham, 55, was charged with dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Paul Sutton, 55.
Where
The incident happened at the entrance of Cushlawn Park housing estate in Tallaght, Dublin.
When
The offence happened on October 25th 2022.
Cause
Cunningham reversed his car onto the footpath and into Mr Sutton, who fell to the ground.
Investigation
Cunningham was arrested after gardaí called to his house.
Charges
Cunningham pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm.
In court
  • The judge described the act as highly reckless.
  • The judge set a headline sentence of six years and took the early guilty plea and previous good character into account.
  • Cunningham has two minor convictions dating back to the 1990s.
Sentence
Cunningham was sentenced to three and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, and disqualified from driving for ten years.
Other details
  • Cunningham accepted that he caused Mr Sutton's injuries.
  • Mr Sutton's knee was shattered in four places, according to his victim impact statement, and he had two surgeries and spent six weeks in hospital.
  • Mr Sutton can no longer go mountain walking and will never run again, according to his victim impact statement.
  • There is no evidence or allegation of drug or drink use at the time of the incident.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCunningham pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Paul Sutton. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident happened at the entrance of Cushlawn Park housing estate, Tallaght. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offence happened on October 25th 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeCunningham reversed his car onto the footpath and into Mr Sutton, who fell to the ground. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCunningham was arrested after gardaí called to his house. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge described the act as highly reckless. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge set a headline sentence of six years and took the early guilty plea and previous good character into account. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCunningham has two minor convictions dating back to the 1990s. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCunningham was sentenced to three and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCunningham was disqualified from driving for ten years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCunningham accepted that he caused Mr Sutton's injuries. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Sutton's knee was shattered in four places, according to his victim impact statement. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Sutton had two surgeries on his knee and spent six weeks in hospital. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Sutton is no longer able to go mountain walking and will never run again. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThere is no evidence or allegation of drug or drink use at the time of the incident. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Dec2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man (55) jailed after reversing car into neighbour, causing serious injury

    Reports the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court guilty plea, the victim's injuries and impact statement, the defence account, and the sentence of three and a half years with 12 months suspended and a ten-year driving ban.

    convicted, Stephen Cunningham, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Cunninghamvictim, Paul Sutton, 55, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Sutton