Ireland Man sentenced for dangerous driving causing death of mother in Co Kildare
On 2 January 2024 at around 6.20pm, a van veered onto the wrong side of the road between Kilcock and Enfield, Co Kildare, and hit the car driven by Junette Stronge, 49, a mother of two, who was killed instantly. Michael Goggins, a 55-year-old man from Oaklawns, Longwood, Co Meath, admitted dangerous driving causing death with an early guilty plea. Judge Elva Duffy sentenced him to three years with 27 months fully suspended, so he will serve nine months in jail, and disqualified him from driving for four years. The latest development, reported on 16 April 2026, is the sentence and Goggins's apology to the family.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced16 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Junette Stronge, 49, died after a van veered onto the wrong side of the road in Co Kildare.
- Stronge was killed instantly and her two children, aged three and six months, were uninjured.
- Where
- The incident happened on the road between Kilcock and Enfield, Co Kildare.
- When
- The incident occurred on 2 January 2024 at around 6.20pm.
- The article gives 2 January 2024 as the date of the admission, which is also the incident date.
- Cause
- The van veered over to Stronge's side of the road and badly damaged the driver's side of her car.
- Investigation
- Gardaí said the driver could not give a clear explanation of what happened or why he veered into the oncoming lane.
- The court heard there was no evidence of speeding or mobile phone use.
- Other details
- Road conditions and visibility were described as good at the time.
- Charges
- Michael Goggins, a 55-year-old man from Oaklawns, Longwood, Co Meath, admitted dangerous driving causing death.
- In court
- Goggins entered an early guilty plea before Judge Elva Duffy.
- Judge Elva Duffy said there was no explanation as to what had happened but that Goggins's remorse appeared genuine.
- Sentence
- Goggins was sentenced to three years, with 27 months fully suspended, so he will serve nine months in jail.
- Goggins was disqualified from driving for four years and apologised to Stronge's family.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJunette Stronge, 49, died after a van veered onto the wrong side of the road in Co Kildare. (rte.ie)
- whatStronge was killed instantly. (rte.ie)
- whereThe incident happened between Kilcock and Enfield. (rte.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 6.20pm. (rte.ie)
- whenGoggins admitted dangerous driving causing death on 2 January 2024. (rte.ie)
- causeThe van veered over to the victim's side of the road and badly damaged the driver's side of her car. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí said the driver could not give a clear explanation of what happened or why he veered into the oncoming lane. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe court heard there was no evidence of speeding or mobile phone use. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Elva Duffy said there was no explanation as to what had happened but that the remorse appeared genuine. (rte.ie)
- courtGoggins entered an early guilty plea. (rte.ie)
- sentenceGoggins was sentenced to a term of three years. (rte.ie)
- sentence27 months of the sentence were fully suspended. (rte.ie)
- sentenceGoggins will serve nine months in jail. (rte.ie)
- sentenceGoggins was disqualified from driving for four years. (rte.ie)
- otherHer two children, aged three and six months, were uninjured. (rte.ie)
- otherGoggins is from Oaklawns, Longwood, Co Meath. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Apr2026Man jailed for dangerous driving causing death of mother
Reports the sentencing of Michael Goggins, including the nine-month custodial term, four-year driving disqualification, and his apology to the family. No matching case in the existing list.
convicted, Michael Goggins, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Gogginsvictim, Junette Stronge, 49, female, irish (judged from name)Junette Stronge