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. 11194Careless driving causing death · Co. Wexford · 27 Jan 2024

Man jailed for six months over careless driving that caused unborn baby's death, Wexford

On 27 January 2024, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van driven by Yurii Dudek, a 31-year-old Ukrainian man, rear-ended a vehicle that had stopped to turn right at Ballygillane Big on the Wexford/Rosslare Road. That vehicle was pushed into oncoming traffic and hit a car carrying Saoirse Aylward and her partner; Saoirse Aylward was 31 weeks pregnant and needed an emergency C-section at Wexford General Hospital, and her son Jax was stillborn. Dudek pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Quinn set a headline sentence of nine months and sentenced him to six months in prison, citing mitigation including his age, his guilty plea and his lack of previous convictions. An article dated 1 February 2026 reports the sentence and says Saoirse Aylward has launched a campaign for legislative reform, called Jax's Law, over a gap in the law.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
The collision happened at Ballygillane Big on the main Wexford/Rosslare Road.
When
The incident happened on 27 January 2024.
Charges
Yurii Dudek, a 31-year-old Ukrainian man, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death.
Cause
  • The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van driven by Dudek rear-ended a vehicle that had stopped to make a right turn.
  • The rear-ended vehicle was pushed into oncoming traffic and hit a car carrying Saoirse Aylward and her partner.
Other details
  • Saoirse Aylward was 31 weeks pregnant and needed an emergency C-section at Wexford General Hospital.
  • Her son Jax was stillborn.
  • Dudek was in Ireland collecting medical supplies and humanitarian aid for Ukraine at the time.
  • Mitigating factors included Dudek's age, his guilty plea and that he had no previous convictions in Ireland or Ukraine.
  • Saoirse Aylward has launched a campaign for legislative reform, called Jax's Law, over a gap in the law following the loss of her unborn baby.
In court
Dudek pleaded guilty at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • The maximum sentence for the offence was two years.
  • Judge Quinn set a headline sentence of nine months and sentenced Dudek to six months in prison.
  • Dudek's driving licence was not suspended because he uses it for volunteering work in aid of Ukraine.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe collision happened at Ballygillane Big on the main Wexford/Rosslare Road. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 27 January 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van driven by the accused rear-ended a vehicle that had stopped to make a right turn. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe rear-ended vehicle was pushed into oncoming traffic and hit a car carrying Saoirse Aylward and her partner. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtDudek pleaded guilty at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe maximum sentence was two years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Quinn set a headline sentence of nine months and sentenced Dudek to six months in prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceDudek's driving licence was not suspended because he uses it for volunteering work in aid of Ukraine. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherSaoirse Aylward was 31 weeks pregnant and needed an emergency C-section at Wexford General Hospital. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherHer son Jax was stillborn. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused was in Ireland collecting medical supplies and humanitarian aid for Ukraine at the time. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherMitigating factors included Dudek's age, his guilty plea and that he had no previous convictions in Ireland or Ukraine. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherSaoirse Aylward has launched a campaign for legislative reform over a gap in the law following the loss of her unborn baby. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Feb2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Mother calls for new law as man whose careless driving led to her unborn baby's death is jailed

    Reports the sentencing of Yurii Dudek at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court, the court's findings on mitigation, and Saoirse Aylward's campaign for Jax's Law.

    convicted, Yurii Dudek, 31, male, Ukrainian, named, non-irishYurii Dudekvictim, Saoirse Aylward, 31, female, irish (judged from name)Saoirse Aylwardvictim, JaxJax