Philip Ormond jailed for four years for killing Kathleen Furlong in Tallaght; Senator Ruane defends letter to court
Philip Ormond, 43, struck and killed Kathleen Furlong after driving through a red light and 18km/h over the speed limit on the R136 in Tallaght, Dublin, at about 11am on 8 September 2023. Furlong was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering severe head injuries and multiple fractures to her leg, hip and pelvis. Ormond pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and leaving the scene at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Martin Nolan identified three aggravating factors. He was jailed for four years and three months and disqualified from driving for six years. A letter from Senator Lynn Ruane, who is understood to have known Ormond since childhood, was before the court; she stated she did not advocate for a more lenient sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced10 Jul
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Philip Ormond, 43, was convicted of dangerous driving causing death and jailed for four years and three months.
- Ormond drove through a red light and was 18km/h over the speed limit when he struck Kathleen Furlong.
- Kathleen Furlong was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts including an off-duty doctor, having suffered severe head injuries and multiple fractures to her leg, hip and pelvis.
- Witnesses described Furlong as being flung up into the air.
- Ormond was seen driving off after the collision, stopping, getting out of the car and driving off again, and he admitted to leaving the scene.
- Ormond had 53 previous convictions including 24 road traffic offences, one for dangerous driving, and his insurance had lapsed due to non-payment of the premium.
- Where
- The collision occurred on the R136 in Tallaght, Dublin, at the junction of Fortunestown Way and Cheeverstown Road.
- When
- The collision occurred at about 11am on 8 September 2023.
- Charges
- Ormond pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and leaving the scene of a collision at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- In court
- Judge Martin Nolan identified three aggravating factors: speed, adequate time to see the red light, and leaving the scene.
- Sentence
- Ormond was disqualified from driving for six years.
- Other details
- A letter from Senator Lynn Ruane was before the court offering support to Ormond; she stated she did not advocate for a more lenient sentence and is understood to have known Ormond since childhood.
- Furlong's grandson walked by the incident minutes after it happened not knowing his grandmother was lying on the road.
24 statements extracted from the articles
- whatOrmond was jailed for four years and three months for dangerous driving causing death (irishtimes.com)
- whatOrmond drove through a red light and was 18km/h over the speed limit (irishtimes.com)
- whatKathleen Furlong was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts including an off-duty doctor (irishtimes.com)
- whatFurlong suffered severe head injuries and multiple fractures to her leg, hip and pelvis (irishtimes.com)
- whatWitnesses described Furlong as being flung up into the air (irishtimes.com)
- whatOrmond was seen driving off after the collision, stopping, getting out of the car and driving off again (irishtimes.com)
- whatOrmond pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and leaving the scene of a collision (irishtimes.com)
- whatOrmond had 53 previous convictions including 24 road traffic offences, one for dangerous driving (irishtimes.com)
- whatOrmond's insurance had lapsed due to non-payment of the premium (irishtimes.com)
- whatKathleen Furlong was pronounced dead at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOrmond also admitted to leaving the scene of the collision. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe collision occurred on the R136 in Tallaght, Dublin, at the junction of Fortunestown Way and Cheeverstown Road (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe collision took place on the R136 in Tallaght, Dublin, at the junction of Fortunestown Way and Cheeverstown Road. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe collision occurred at about 11am on 8 September 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeOrmond was convicted of dangerous driving causing death. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Martin Nolan identified three aggravating factors: speed, adequate time to see the red light, and leaving the scene (irishtimes.com)
- courtOrmond pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceOrmond was disqualified from driving for six years (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePhilip Ormond was jailed for four years and three months. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA letter from Senator Lynn Ruane was before the court offering support to Ormond (irishtimes.com)
- otherFurlong's grandson walked by the incident minutes after it happened not knowing his grandmother was lying on the road (irishtimes.com)
- otherOrmond had 53 previous convictions including 24 road traffic offences, one of which was for dangerous driving. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSenator Lynn Ruane is understood to have known Ormond since childhood and he had previously volunteered with her in a community drugs service. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRuane stated she did not advocate or suggest anything in relation to sentencing in her letter to the court. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Jul2025Senator Lynn Ruane says letter for driver who killed pedestrian was not attempt to lower sentence
Adds details of the sentencing (four years and three months), Ormond's 53 previous convictions including 24 road traffic offences, his lapsed insurance, and Senator Lynn Ruane's statement that her letter to the court was not an attempt to lower the sentence, noting she has known Ormond since childhood and he volunteered with her in a community drugs service.
victim, Kathleen Furlong, female, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Furlongconvicted, Philip Ormond, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Ormond - 10 Jul2025Man who killed pedestrian after running red light and then fled scene jailed for four years
Provides full sentencing detail: speed (18km/h over limit), red light, injuries (severe head injuries, multiple fractures to leg, hip and pelvis), 53 previous convictions including 24 road traffic offences, lapsed insurance, three aggravating factors identified by Judge Martin Nolan, six-year driving disqualification, and Ormond's statement in garda interview.
victim, Kathleen Furlong, female, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Furlongconvicted, Philip Ormond, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Ormond