Saturday 31 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. 20080Careless driving · Co. Offaly · 10 Oct 2020

Offaly man convicted of careless driving after car drove into hedge

On 10 October 2020, a single vehicle collision took place in Killure Rhode, Co Offaly, when a car driven by Paul Kearney drove into a hedge. Kearney was summonsed for careless driving contrary to section 52, and at Tullamore District Court he admitted he had been texting on his smartphone while driving and lost control of the car. The court heard he had 17 previous convictions, including driving while intoxicated and failing or refusing to provide a blood or urine sample, and the defence said he was homeless and suffers from mental health issues. In a court report published on 9 August 2023, the judge convicted him and fined him €100, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 Aug
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A single vehicle road traffic accident occurred when a car driven by Paul Kearney drove into a hedge.
Where
The collision took place in Killure Rhode, Co Offaly.
When
The incident took place on 10 October 2020.
Cause
Kearney admitted he had been texting on his smartphone while driving and lost control of the car.
Investigation
Garda John Egan told the court that the car drove into a hedge.
Charges
Kearney was summonsed to court for careless driving contrary to section 52.
In court
Tullamore District Court heard evidence about the collision in a recent sitting, reported on 9 August 2023.
Sentence
The judge convicted Kearney and fined him €100.
Other details
  • Kearney has 17 previous convictions, including driving while intoxicated and failing or refusing to provide a blood or urine sample.
  • The defence said Kearney was homeless at the time of the incident.
  • The defence said Kearney suffers from mental health issues.
  • Kearney is 37 years old and single.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe single vehicle road traffic accident took place in Killure Rhode. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 10 October 2020. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe accused admitted he had been texting on his smartphone while driving and lost control of the car. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationA garda told the court that the car drove into a hedge. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was summonsed to court for careless driving contrary to section 52. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtTullamore District Court heard evidence about the single vehicle collision. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge convicted the accused and fined him €100. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had 17 previous convictions, including driving while intoxicated and failing or refusing to provide a blood or urine sample. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the accused was homeless at the time of the incident. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the accused suffers from mental health issues. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused is 37 years old and single. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Aug2023
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Offaly man who drove into a hedge while texting appears in court

    Court report on the sentencing of Paul Kearney for careless driving. Adds the court outcome, the accused's admission of texting while driving, his previous convictions and the defence's account of his circumstances.

    convicted, Paul Kearney, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Kearney