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. 9777Dangerous driving causing serious injury · Co. Westmeath · 23 Mar 2025

Man jailed for two years over Westmeath crash that left brother with leg amputated

In the early hours of 23 March 2025, at about 2.30am, a crash happened in Rathowen, Westmeath, that left Stephen Murphy with his left leg amputated. The accused, Gerard Duffy McAndrew, a 24-year-old man, had been using cannabis and was four times the legal drink-drive limit, and gardaí estimated he was reaching 163 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. He pleaded guilty in April to dangerous driving causing serious injury and having no insurance for the car. In May 2026, Judge Keenan Johnson at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court jailed him for two years, suspended the final three years for seven years, and banned him from driving for four years.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The accused, Gerard Duffy McAndrew, a 24-year-old man, was involved in a crash that left the victim, Stephen Murphy, having lost his left leg.
Where
The crash happened in Rathowen, Westmeath.
When
  • The crash happened in the early hours of 23 March 2025, at about 2.30am.
  • The sentencing report is dated 20 May 2026 in the article text, while the article metadata gives 1 May 2026.
Cause
  • The accused had been using cannabis and filmed himself driving and drinking wine shortly before the crash.
  • The accused was four times the legal drink-drive limit.
  • Gardaí estimated the accused was reaching 163 km/h minutes before the crash, in a 50 km/h zone.
  • The car's speedometer read 195 km/h at the crash site, a 50 km/h zone.
Investigation
Gardaí based their speed estimate on video evidence.
Charges
The accused pleaded guilty in April to dangerous driving causing serious injury and having no insurance for the car.
In court
The case was heard at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Keenan Johnson.
Sentence
  • The accused was jailed for two years, with the judge reducing a nine-year sentence to five years for remorse, previous good character and mitigation.
  • The final three years of the sentence were suspended for seven years on condition the accused does not reoffend or use drink or drugs, and he was banned from driving for four years.
Other details
  • The accused had no prior criminal convictions.
  • The judge said it was a miracle no one was killed.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe crash happened in Rathowen, Westmeath. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe crash happened in the early hours of 23 March 2025, at about 2.30am. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe accused had been using cannabis and filmed himself driving and drinking wine shortly before the crash. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe accused was four times the legal drink-drive limit. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeGardaí estimated the accused was reaching 163 km/h minutes before the crash, in a 50 km/h zone. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe car's speedometer read 195 km/h at the crash site, a 50 km/h zone. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí based their speed estimate on video evidence. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded guilty in April to dangerous driving causing serious injury and having no insurance for the car. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Keenan Johnson. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was jailed for two years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge reduced a nine-year sentence to five years for remorse, previous good character and mitigation. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe final three years of the sentence were suspended for seven years on condition the accused does not reoffend or use drink or drugs. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was banned from driving for four years. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe victim, Stephen Murphy, lost his left leg in the crash. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe accused had no prior criminal convictions. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge said it was a miracle no one was killed. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Man (24) jailed for two years for Westmeath horror crash that led to his brother losing his leg

    Sentencing report for the Rathowen crash. It gives the sentence, the reduction and suspension, the driving ban, the speed and alcohol evidence, and the victim's injuries.

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