Ireland Case No. 6249Careless driving causing death · Co. Tipperary · 28 Dec 2021
Sentenced for careless driving causing death in Bansha, Tipperary
On 28 December 2021, Patrick Connolly, 51, of Skehennarinky, southwest Tipperary, was riding a motorbike with his son as a pillion passenger during a charity bike outing when he was struck by a car driven by Mary Lowry, 57, of Dundrum, Co Tipperary, on the N24 at Spring House, Bansha. Connolly died in hospital five days later. Lowry was charged in November 2022 and pleaded guilty at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court in February 2024. On 21 March 2024, Judge Catherine Staines sentenced her to a fully suspended one-year jail term and a one-year driving ban.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court22 Feb
5 reports - Convicted27 Feb
2 reports - Sentenced21 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Patrick Connolly, 51, of Skehennarinky, southwest Tipperary, was riding a motorbike with his son as a pillion passenger during a charity bike outing when he was struck by a car on the N24 at Spring House, Bansha.
- Connolly, a father of five, died in hospital five days after the collision.
- Where
- The collision occurred on the N24 at Spring House, Bansha, Co Tipperary.
- When
- The collision is reported as having happened on 28 December 2021 at approximately 12.45pm, though one source gives 21 December 2021.
- Cause
- Lowry turned right out of an entrance onto the N24 after waiting about two minutes, believing the road was clear, and her Volkswagen Passat collided with Connolly's motorbike.
- Investigation
- A Garda forensic report noted that road conditions and visibility were good on the day.
- Charges
- Lowry was charged with careless driving causing the death of Patrick Connolly under section 52(1) and 52(2)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
- In court
- The case was first brought before Thurles District Court on 16 November 2022 and was subsequently sent for trial before Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court.
- Lowry pleaded guilty at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court in February 2024 and sentencing was adjourned to 21 March 2024.
- Sentence
- On 21 March 2024, Judge Catherine Staines sentenced Lowry to a fully suspended one-year jail term and a one-year driving ban.
- Other details
- Lowry, a mother of three, had no previous convictions and apologised in a letter to the Connolly family for not paying attention to her driving.
- The Court of Appeal had ruled that the law does not require a mandatory driving ban for a first offence of careless driving causing death.
95 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPatrick Connolly, 51, was from Skehennarinky. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatConnolly was on a charity bike outing when the incident happened. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatConnolly was riding the motorbike with his son as a pillion passenger. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatConnolly was participating in a charity bike outing at the time of the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- whatConnolly suffered serious injuries and died in hospital five days later. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMary Lowry is a mother of three. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPatrick Connolly was a father of five. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMary Lowry pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving causing the death of Patrick Connolly. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatPatrick Connolly was riding a motorbike with his son as a pillion passenger and died from his injuries in hospital days later. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPatrick Connolly was participating in a charity motorbike outing at the time of the fatal collision (thejournal.ie)
- whatPatrick Connolly was riding a motorbike with his son as a pillion passenger (thejournal.ie)
- whatPatrick Connolly died from injuries in hospital a number of days after the collision (thejournal.ie)
- whatPatrick Connolly died in hospital five days after the incident. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMary Lowry admitted careless driving causing the death of Patrick Connolly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe crash occurred at Spring House, Bansha. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe alleged incident occurred on 28 December 2021 at N24, Springhouse, Bansha, Co. Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- wherePatrick Connolly was of Skehennarinky, southwest Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe collision happened on the N24 at Spring House, Bansha, Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe collision occurred on the N24 at Spring House, Bansha, Co Tipperary (thejournal.ie)
- wherePatrick Connolly was from Skehennarinky, southwest Tipperary (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe alleged incident occurred on the N24 at Springhouse, Bansha, County Tipperary. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe case was heard at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe collision happened at the N24 at Spring House, Bansha, Co Tipperary. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe collision occurred on the N24 Waterford to Limerick road near Bansha Woods, Bansha, Co Tipperary. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 21 December 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe alleged incident occurred on 28 December 2021 at N24, Springhouse, Bansha, County Tipperary (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe collision happened on 28 December 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe fatal collision happened on 28 December 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe collision happened around 12.45pm on December 28, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- causePatrick Connolly was taking part in a charity motorbike outing when the fatal collision happened. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeLowry turned right out of an entrance onto the N24 after waiting about two minutes, believing the coast was clear. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe Passat collided with a motorcycle driven by Patrick Connolly, who was carrying his son as a pillion passenger. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA Garda forensic report noted that road conditions and visibility were good on the day. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeLowry is accused of careless driving causing death. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeShe was charged with careless driving causing the death of Patrick Connolly. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe offence is contrary to section 52(1) and 52(2)(a) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeShe was served with the book of evidence alleging she drove carelessly causing the death of Patrick Connolly (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeThe offence is contrary to section 52(1) and 52(2)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as substituted by section 4 of the Road Traffic (No. 2) Act 2011 (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeThe offence is contrary to section 52(1) and 52(2)(a) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and/or a fine up to €10,000. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMary Lowry pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving causing the death of Patrick Connolly, 51 (thejournal.ie)
- chargeMary Lowry pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving causing the death of Patrick Connolly (51) of Skeheenarinky on 28 December 2021. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMary Lowry appeared before Nenagh District Court on 22 February 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe book of evidence had been served and the matter was sent forward for trial before Clonmel Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was to be called again at Clonmel Circuit Court on 28 February 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtShe was initially charged before Thurles District Court on 16 November 2022. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe DPP consented to the accused being sent for trial before the next sessions of the Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Lowry has yet to indicate a plea. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge King remanded Ms Lowry on continuing bail on her own bond of €300 for trial before Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLowry appeared before Tipperary Town District Court sitting in Nenagh on Wednesday 21 February 2023 (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe DPP consented to Lowry being sent for trial before the next sessions of Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJudge King remanded Lowry on continuing bail on her own bond of €300 which did not have to be lodged (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe case was first brought before Thurles District Court on 16 November 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Lowry was remanded on continuing bail after pleading guilty. (irishtimes.com)
- courtSentencing was adjourned to 21 March at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Staines granted an application to adjourn sentencing to 21 March, which the prosecution consented to. (irishtimes.com)
- courtShe appeared before Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court on 27 February 2024 for sentencing (thejournal.ie)
- courtSentencing was adjourned to 21 March (thejournal.ie)
- courtShe was remanded on continuing bail (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was initially brought before Thurles District Court on 16 November 2022 (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge presiding was Catherine Staines (thejournal.ie)
- courtHer barrister was Pádraig de Búrca BL and State prosecution counsel was David Humphries BL (thejournal.ie)
- courtMary Lowry appeared at Clonmel Circuit Court on Tuesday morning (26 February 2024) on a charge of careless driving causing the death of a cyclist. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe case was heard before Judge Catherine Staines. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe case was listed at number 63 in the court list. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtPádraig de Búrca, BL, acting for Ms Lowry, asked the judge to adjourn sentencing to 21 March. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtState prosecution counsel David Humphries, BL, consented to the adjournment. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to the sittings of Clonmel Circuit Court on 21 March. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe defendant was remanded on continuing bail until 21 March. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMary Lowry was granted bail by Judge John King at Nenagh District Court after being served a book of evidence. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMary Lowry was initially charged with the offence in November 2022 at Thurles District Court. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtLowry was remanded on continuing bail. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtSentencing was adjourned to March 21st. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was first brought before Thurles District Court on November 16th, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtLowry was sentenced at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Catherine Staines. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge placed Lowry's driving in the mid-range of careless driving. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceIf convicted, Lowry faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or a fine not exceeding €10,000. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceIf convicted she faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or a fine not exceeding €10,000. (irishtimes.com, tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceThe offence carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and/or a fine not exceeding €10,000 (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceIf convicted, Mary Lowry faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or a fine not exceeding €10,000. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceLowry received a fully suspended one-year jail sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceLowry received a one-year driving ban. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMary Lowry was remanded on continuing bail. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLowry has not yet indicated a plea. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Court of Appeal decided the law does not require a mandatory driving ban for a first offence of careless driving causing death. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPatrick Connolly was participating in a charity bike outing at the time of the incident (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherLowry has yet to indicate a plea (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherSgt Cathal Godfrey of Tipperary Garda Station signed and served the book of evidence on Lowry at Nenagh Courthouse (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherGardaí had no objection to bail and did not seek any bail conditions (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherPatrick Connolly was taking part in a charity motorbike outing at the time of the collision. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMary Lowry is in her late 50s and of Green Road, Dundrum, Co Tipperary (thejournal.ie)
- otherMary Lowry is the mother of three (thejournal.ie)
- otherMary Lowry became well-known for her evidence at the murder trial of Patrick Quirke (thejournal.ie)
- otherPatrick Connolly died from his injuries in hospital on January 2nd. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLowry had no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLowry apologised in a letter to the Connolly family for not paying attention to her driving. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Mar2024'Mr Moonlight' trial witness Mary Lowry avoids jail over fatal road collision
Court sentencing of a witness in the Mr Moonlight case. No existing case in the list matches this collision or sentencing.
victim, Patrick Connolly, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Connollyconvicted, Mary Lowry, 57, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Lowry - 27 Feb2024Mary Lowry remanded on bail after guilty plea to careless driving causing death
Reports a guilty plea to careless driving causing death in a 2021 fatal collision at Bansha. Sentencing was adjourned to March 21st.
convicted, Mary Lowry, late 50s, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Lowryvictim, Patrick Connolly, 51, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Connolly - 27 Feb2024Tipperary woman Mary Lowry appears before court on careless driving causing death charge
Reports the 26 February 2024 court appearance where sentencing was adjourned to 21 March 2024; provides details of the legal representatives, the charity bike outing context, the statutory charge, and prior court history including initial charging at Thurles District Court in November 2022.
victim, Patrick Connolly, 51, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Connollyaccused, Mary Lowry, 57, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Lowry - 27 Feb2024'Mr Moonlight’ trial witness remanded on bail after admitting careless driving causing man’s death
Reports the 27 February 2024 hearing at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court where sentencing was adjourned to 21 March; confirms the guilty plea, the maximum penalty, and provides background on Lowry's role as a witness in the Mr Moonlight murder trial.
victim, Patrick Connolly, 51, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Connollyaccused, Mary Lowry, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Lowry - 27 Feb2024‘Mr Moonlight’ witness Mary Lowry remanded after pleading guilty to careless driving causing death
Guilty plea entered and sentencing adjourned to March 21st. The article also describes Ms Lowry as a witness in the separate Mr Moonlight murder trial, which is not part of this case.
convicted, Mary Lowry, late 50s, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Lowryvictim, Patrick Connolly, 51, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Connolly - 24 Feb2023Tipperary woman Mary Lowry sent for trial on charge on careless driving causing death
Reports that Lowry was sent for trial (indicted) at Tipperary Town District Court sitting in Nenagh on 21 February 2023, remanded on continuing bail, and that the DPP consented to trial at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court. Adds detail that Connolly was on a charity bike outing and died in hospital five days later, and that Lowry is in receipt of a widow's pension.
accused, Mary Lowry, 56, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Lowryvictim, Patrick Connolly, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Connolly - 22 Feb2023Tipperary woman Mary Lowry (56) returned for careless driving trial over death of man
Reports that Mary Lowry was returned for trial at Nenagh District Court, served with the State's book of evidence, and remanded on continuing bail (€300 own bond) for trial before Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court. She has yet to indicate a plea. Adds detail that Connolly was participating in a charity bike outing and died in hospital five days later.
victim, Patrick Connolly, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Connollyaccused, Mary Lowry, 56, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Lowry - 22 Feb2023Woman set to go on trial for careless driving causing death
Records the 22 February 2023 Nenagh District Court appearance where the book of evidence was served and the case was sent to Clonmel Circuit Court for trial on 28 February 2023; confirms Lowry has not yet indicated a plea and notes the Court of Appeal ruling on mandatory driving bans.
victim, Patrick Connolly, 51, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Connollyaccused, Mary Lowry, 59, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Lowry