Ireland Case No. 7107Dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm; drink and drug driving; failing to stop; failing to render assistance · Co. Limerick · 30 Jun 2022
Niamh McDonnell pleads guilty over hit-and-run that injured garda Niall Flood
On 30 June 2022 in Limerick, Niamh McDonnell, a 30-year-old woman from Gortskagh, Castlemahon, drove into Niall Flood, a 53-year-old off-duty garda inspector from Newcastle West, while he was cycling, severing his right foot. She did not stop and drove home, and gardaí later found her at her home, where she failed a drug test. McDonnell pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, drink and drug driving, failing to stop and failing to render assistance. Her sentence is to be finalised on 24 November.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted13 Nov
3 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Niamh McDonnell drove into off-duty garda inspector Niall Flood from behind while he was cycling.
- Mr Flood was knocked onto the car bonnet and then into a ditch, and his right foot was severed.
- McDonnell did not stop after the collision and drove home with the car damaged.
- Other details
- Mr Flood suffered life-changing injuries, including multiple spine and rib fractures.
- A motorist who witnessed the collision made a tourniquet for Mr Flood's leg before he was airlifted to hospital.
- Where
- The collision happened in Limerick, and McDonnell is from Gortskagh, Castlemahon, Co Limerick.
- When
- The collision happened on 30 June 2022.
- Cause
- McDonnell had drunk five vodkas and five shots of whiskey, liquor and tequila in a pub before driving, and had smoked a cannabis joint that day.
- Investigation
- McDonnell's alcohol blood test gave a reading of 136mg/100ml, and she failed a drug test at her home shortly after the collision.
- McDonnell first told gardaí she had only one drink, but after being shown CCTV and bar receipts she admitted drinking; a forensic examination found no evidence she had applied the brakes.
- Charges
- McDonnell pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, drink and drug driving, failing to stop and failing to render assistance.
- In court
- The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- The judge will finalise sentence on 24 November.
36 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Limerick woman left an off-duty Garda Inspector in a ditch after she hit him with her car. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe car collided with the cyclist from behind. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe driver did not stop after hitting the garda. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused drove into off-duty Inspector Niall Flood from behind while he was cycling. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Flood was thrown onto the car bonnet and into a ditch. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNiall Flood, a garda inspector, suffered life-changing injuries when he was knocked down from behind. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcDonnell's car severed Mr Flood's right foot. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcDonnell did not stop after the collision and drove home. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Flood also sustained multiple fractures in his spine and ribs. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe accused is from Gortskagh, Castlemahon, Co Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 30 June 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe collision happened on June 30th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe collision happened on 30 June 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe driver was high on drink and drugs when she drove. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe driver got behind the wheel of a car while heavily intoxicated. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe accused drank five vodkas and five shots of whiskey and tequila before driving. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe driver, Niamh McDonnell, was drink and drug driving at the time. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí showed the driver CCTV and bar receipts, and she then admitted drinking. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA Garda forensic examination found no evidence that the accused had applied the car’s brakes. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe accused initially told gardaí she had only one drink before driving. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMcDonnell's alcohol blood test gave a reading of 136mg/100ml. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationMcDonnell failed a drug test when gardaí caught up with her at her home shortly after the collision. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe driver pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, drunk driving, failing to stop, failing to provide assistance, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe accused pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Mr Flood. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMcDonnell pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, drink and drug driving, failing to stop at the scene and failing to render assistance. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMcDonnell will be sentenced at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on November 24th. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge will finalise the sentence on 24 November. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said he would finalise sentencing on Friday, November 24th. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim's foot was ripped off in the impact. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim was left with life-changing injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMr Flood was left with life-changing injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused did not stop after hitting Mr Flood. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA motorist who witnessed the collision made a tourniquet for Mr Flood’s leg before he was airlifted to hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcDonnell admitted smoking a cannabis joint and drinking alcohol earlier that day. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMr Flood has expressed a strong desire to return to work in the future. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Nov2023Garda seriously injured in hit-and-run by drunk driver vows to return to work
Article reports McDonnell's guilty plea and sentencing date. The incident year is inferred from the article date of 14 November 2023 and its reference to 'June 30 last year'.
convicted, Niamh McDonnell, 30, female, named, irish (judged from name)Niamh McDonnellvictim, Niall Flood, 53, male, irish (judged from name)Niall Flood - 13 Nov2023Drink and drug driver (30) left off-duty garda for dead in ditch after knocking him off bicycle
Court report on a guilty plea. Adds the details of the collision, the injuries, the hit-and-run and the sentencing date. No matching existing case.
convicted, Niamh McDonnell, 30, female, named, irish (judged from name)Niamh McDonnellvictim, Niall Flood, 53, male, irish (judged from name)Niall Flood - 13 Nov2023Drunk mum left Garda for dead after severing his foot in horror crash
Court report: guilty plea entered; sentence to be finalised on 24 November. No earlier report of this incident in the existing cases.
convicted, Niamh McDonnell, 30, female, named, irish (judged from name)Niamh McDonnellvictim, Niall Flood, 53, male, irish (judged from name)Niall Flood