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. 9573Dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm · Co. Cork · 24 Dec 2024

Motorist jailed for dangerous driving that injured off-duty paramedic

On 24 December 2024, a car travelling in the opposite direction collided with an off-duty paramedic, a woman, on the N33 at Charleville, County Cork, as she drove home to Donegal for Christmas; the article headline places the incident in Louth. Mika Mafuta (27), an Irish man, failed a roadside breath test and was charged with dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and driving without a driving licence, pleading guilty to both, with a charge of driving without insurance taken into consideration. At Dundalk Circuit Court he was sentenced to four years and three months, with the final six months suspended, plus an eight-year disqualification and a concurrent three-month sentence for driving without a licence, a sentence reported on 15 May 2026.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The paramedic suffered a fractured ankle and an arterial bleed from her temple.
  • A puppy the victim was carrying died a few minutes after being found injured on a grass verge.
Where
The collision happened on the N33 at Charleville, County Cork, though the article headline places the incident in Louth.
When
The offences took place on Christmas Eve, 24 December 2024.
Cause
A car travelling in the opposite direction collided with the victim.
Investigation
The defendant failed a roadside breath test.
Charges
  • The defendant pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and driving without a driving licence.
  • A charge of driving without insurance was taken into consideration at sentencing.
In court
The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court.
Sentence
  • The defendant was sentenced to four years and three months, with the final six months suspended for the dangerous driving offence.
  • The defendant received an eight-year disqualification and a three-month concurrent sentence for driving without a licence.
Other details
  • The defendant has no previous convictions.
  • The defendant had €1,200 with him as a token of remorse.
  • The judge noted there was no evidence of excessive speed.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe paramedic suffered a fractured ankle and an arterial bleed from her temple. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA puppy the victim was carrying died a few minutes after being found injured on a grass verge. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe collision happened at Charleville. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on Christmas Eve 2024. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeA car travelling in the opposite direction collided with the victim on the N33. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant failed a roadside breath test. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and driving without a driving licence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeA further charge of driving without insurance was taken into consideration at sentencing. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was sentenced to four years and three months, with the final six months suspended for the dangerous driving offence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant received an eight-year disqualification and a three-month concurrent sentence for driving without a licence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has no previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had €1,200 with him as a token of remorse. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted there was no evidence of excessive speed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 May2026
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Motorist who injured off-duty paramedic jailed for dangerous driving

    Court report on the sentencing of the driver, including the paramedic's injuries and impact statement, the dog's death and the sentence imposed. No existing case in the list matches this incident.

    convicted, Mika Mafuta, 27, male, Irish, named, irishMika Mafutavictim, female