Truck driver Gabor Mihalecz fails appeal against 10-month sentence for killing Mark McMullen in jackknife incident
On 31 July 2023, a lorry driven by 65-year-old professional truck driver Gabor Mihalecz jackknifed on the N24 at Barne, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, due to a defective braking system, killing Irish former Garryowen rugby player Mark McMullen. Mihalecz had been travelling at 91km/h in an 80km/h zone and the vehicle had a bald tyre and an unsecured load. He pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and was sentenced on 20 May at Clonmel Courthouse to 10 months in prison, reduced from a headline sentence of 20 months, and disqualified from driving for four years. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in June 2026, with Judge Patrick McCarthy finding the sentencing judge made no error in principle.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court30 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A lorry jackknifed due to a defective braking system, killing Mark McMullen.
- Mihalecz was travelling at 91km/h in an 80km/h zone and suffered a momentary loss of attention, veering onto the incorrect side of the road.
- The lorry had a bald tyre with metal showing through and an unsecured load on the back.
- The anti-lock braking system did not work because the trailer was not connected correctly, and Mihalecz did not notice the green connection light did not come on at startup.
- Where
- The incident occurred on the N24 at Barne, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
- When
- The incident occurred on 31 July 2023.
- Charges
- Mihalecz pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of McMullen.
- In court
- Mihalecz was sentenced on 20 May at Clonmel Courthouse.
- The Court of Appeal, presided over by Judge John Edwards, dismissed the appeal, with Judge Patrick McCarthy finding no error in principle in the sentencing.
- Sentence
- Mihalecz was sentenced to 10 months in prison, reduced from a headline sentence of 20 months, and disqualified from driving for four years.
- Other details
- Mihalecz was a 65-year-old professional driver from Laytown, Co Meath.
- McMullen was a former Garryowen rugby player.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe braking problem caused the vehicle to jackknife (irishtimes.com)
- whatMihalecz drove at excessive speed when taking a bend (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe lorry had a bald tyre with metal showing through (irishtimes.com)
- whatA load was not secured on the back of the vehicle (irishtimes.com)
- whatMihalecz was travelling at 91km/h in an 80km/h zone (irishtimes.com)
- whatMihalecz suffered a momentary loss of attention and veered onto the incorrect side of the road (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe wheels locked causing the vehicle to jackknife (irishtimes.com)
- whatMihalecz did not notice the green connection light did not come on at startup (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred on the N24 at Barne, Clonmel, Co Tipperary (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 31 July 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe main defect in the lorry was a problem with the braking system (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe anti-lock braking system did not work because the trailer was not connected correctly (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMihalecz pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of McMullen (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing took place on 20 May at Clonmel Courthouse (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge John Edwards presided over the three-judge Court of Appeal (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMihalecz was sentenced to 10 months in prison (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMihalecz was disqualified from driving for four years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was 20 months before mitigation (irishtimes.com)
- otherMihalecz was a professional driver (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jun2026Truck driver fails in appeal against sentence for killing Garryowen rugby player in jackknife incident
The Court of Appeal dismissed Mihalecz's appeal, with Judge Patrick McCarthy finding the sentencing judge made no error in principle in setting a headline sentence of 20 months (reduced to 10 after mitigation) given his excessive speed, defective braking system, and professional driver status.
convicted, Gabor Mihalecz, 65, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Gabor Mihaleczvictim, Mark McMullen, irish (judged from name)Mark McMullen