Sunday 1 November 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. 23278Dangerous driving causing death · Co. Carlow · 24 Oct 2025

Sentencing delayed for Nigerian man convicted of dangerous driving causing death near Tullow, Carlow

Abayomi Okanlawon, 36, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of 66-year-old Tommy Cuddihy in a head-on collision near Tullow, Co Carlow on 24 October 2025, had his sentencing adjourned to 9 February 2027 at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court due to the ongoing legal aid fee dispute between solicitors and the Minister for Justice.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted6 Oct
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe BMW collided head-on with a Seat Altea travelling in the opposite direction. (rte.ie)
  • whatTommy Cuddihy, 66, was pronounced dead at the scene. (rte.ie)
  • whatCuddihy's wife, a passenger, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. (rte.ie)
  • whatOkanlawon was knocked unconscious by the crash and admitted to hospital. (rte.ie)
  • whatOkanlawon is 36 years old and originally from Nigeria. (rte.ie)
  • whatOkanlawon is an asylum seeker who first entered Ireland in 2024 and resides in an IPAS centre. (rte.ie)
  • whatOkanlawon has no previous convictions. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe collision took place on Rath East Road, outside Tullow, Co Carlow. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe fatal collision occurred on 24 October 2025. (rte.ie)
  • investigationA forward-facing dash-cam on the deceased's vehicle recorded the incident, showing the defendant crossing a continuous white line. (rte.ie)
  • investigationOkanlawon made admissions to gardaí that he had seen the flash of headlights just before the collision. (rte.ie)
  • investigationFour independent witnesses, two drivers behind each vehicle, provided statements to gardaí. (rte.ie)
  • chargeOkanlawon pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death. (rte.ie)
  • courtOkanlawon appeared before Judge Patrick Quinn at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court without legal representation. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Quinn adjourned the sentencing to 9 February 2027. (rte.ie)
  • courtThis is the second time the sentencing date has been pushed back due to the legal aid dispute. (rte.ie)
  • courtIn June, Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin adjourned the matter until 23 July for sentencing. (rte.ie)
  • courtOn 24 July, Judge John Martin adjourned the case again until 6 October after solicitors withdrew services. (rte.ie)
  • otherCriminal defence solicitors have been in dispute with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan since June over the new legal aid fee structure. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe new legal aid structure provides a flat fee of €520 for criminal legal aid cases regardless of the number of court appearances. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Oct2026
    Convictedrte.ie, first report
    Dangerous driving sentencing delayed due to dispute

    Reports the second adjournment of sentencing due to the legal aid dispute; provides background on the collision, the victim, the defendant's background, and the dash-cam and witness evidence.

    convicted, Abayomi Okanlawon, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Abayomi Okanlawonvictim, Tommy Cuddihy, 66, male, irish (judged from name)Tommy Cuddihyvictim, female