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. 20930Careless driving causing serious harm · Co. Waterford · 30 Apr 2021

Priest's road ban for careless driving reduced on appeal

On 30 April 2021, Father Ned Hassett (53), a priest, turned into oncoming traffic on the N25 between Waterford and Dungarvan without seeing Bobby Bohill's motorcycle, causing life-changing injuries to Mr Bohill. Hassett pleaded guilty in November 2021 to careless driving causing serious harm. At the Circuit Criminal Court in Waterford he was disqualified from driving for two years and fined €250. On appeal, the Court of Appeal reduced the disqualification to 18 months, a reduction reported on 26 May 2023 after he had already served 15 months of the ban.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced26 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
The crash happened on the N25 between Waterford and Dungarvan.
When
The crash happened on 30 April 2021.
What happened
Father Ned Hassett (53), a priest, turned into oncoming traffic.
Cause
He turned into oncoming traffic without seeing the victim's motorcycle.
Other details
  • Bobby Bohill was riding his motorcycle with other motorcyclists in a charity fundraising event.
  • The crash caused life-changing injuries to Bobby Bohill, including a broken femur and a traumatic brain injury.
  • The priest said the sun was in his eyes.
  • The judge said the junction is known as an accident black spot.
  • The priest had a long history of incident-free driving.
Charges
Hassett pleaded guilty in November 2021 to careless driving causing serious harm.
In court
At the Circuit Criminal Court in Waterford he was disqualified from driving for two years and fined €250.
Sentence
  • The Court of Appeal reduced the disqualification from two years to 18 months, as reported on 26 May 2023.
  • He had already served 15 months of the ban when the appeal was heard.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe crash was on the N25 between Waterford and Dungarvan. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe crash happened on 30 April 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe priest turned into oncoming traffic without seeing the victim's motorcycle. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe priest pleaded guilty in November 2021 to careless driving causing serious harm. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal reduced the priest's road ban. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was disqualified from driving for two years and fined €250 at the Circuit Criminal Court in Waterford. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe disqualification was reduced from two years to 18 months. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe crash caused life-changing injuries to the victim. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim suffered a broken femur and a traumatic brain injury. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe priest said the sun was in his eyes. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the junction is known as an accident black spot. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe priest had a long history of incident-free driving. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe priest had already served 15 months of the ban. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 May2023
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Priest convicted of careless driving has 'very lengthy' road ban reduced

    Reports the Court of Appeal reducing the disqualification from two years to 18 months, and that the priest had already served 15 months of the ban.

    convicted, Father Ned Hassett, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Father Ned Hassettvictim, Bobby Bohill, male, irish (judged from name)Bobby Bohill