Ireland Case No. 14446Criminal damage, giving false information of an accident to make gain by deception, and driving offences · Co. Westmeath · 23 Jul 2022
Two sentenced over false collision claim after damage to Ballymore GAA clubhouse
On Sunday 23 July 2022, a black Nissan Qashqai driven on the property of Ballymore GAA in Westmeath struck the gable end of the dressing room, causing damage put at over €44,000. Tina Egan (49) later reported to gardaí that her car had been in a hit and run and that a red Audi had hit her from behind, and Stephen Bowling (36) was the driver. Both pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court, where Judge Kenneth Connolly suspended all custodial sentences and placed both under probation supervision. The latest development, reported on 24 February 2025, is that Egan was ordered to do 240 hours of community service and to pay €10 a week to Ballymore GAA, while Bowling was disqualified from driving for six years and ordered to pay €15 a week for five years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced24 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A black Nissan Qashqai driven on the GAA club property struck the gable end of the dressing room, causing serious structural damage.
- Where
- The incident happened at Ballymore GAA clubhouse in County Westmeath.
- When
- Gardaí received a call about an allegation of criminal damage on Sunday, 23 July 2022.
- Other details
- Tina Egan (49) reported to a Garda station that her car had been in a hit and run and claimed a red Audi had hit her from behind.
- A victim impact statement from Ballymore GAA detailed €44,475 in damage from the crash and €10,000 in additional security measures.
- Investigation
- Gardaí tracked the vehicle in CCTV footage back to Ms Egan.
- Charges
- Ms Egan pleaded guilty to giving false information of an accident to make gain by deception.
- Stephen Bowling (36) pleaded guilty to criminal damage, failing to stay at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, driving without a driver's licence, driving without insurance and dangerous driving.
- In court
- At Longford Circuit Court, Judge Kenneth Connolly said both defendants deserved a custodial sentence but that they and their child relied on each other.
- Sentence
- Judge Connolly suspended all custodial sentences and placed both defendants under the supervision of the probation service.
- Ms Egan received 240 hours of community service in lieu of 16 months in custody and must set up a standing order of €10 to be paid to Ballymore GAA.
- Mr Bowling must set up a standing order of €15 to be paid weekly to Ballymore GAA for the next five years and was disqualified from driving for six years.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe damage was caused to a Westmeath GAA clubhouse. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe Garda received a call about an allegation of criminal damage on Sunday, July 23, 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeA black Nissan Qashqai driven on the GAA club property struck the gable end of the dressing room, causing serious structural damage. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí tracked the vehicle in the CCTV footage back to Ms Egan. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeEgan pleaded guilty to giving false information of an accident to make gain by deception. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeBowling pleaded guilty to criminal damage, failing to stay at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, driving without a driver's licence, driving without insurance and dangerous driving. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Kenneth Connolly said both defendants deserved a custodial sentence but that they and their child relied on each other. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge Connolly suspended all custodial sentences and placed both defendants under the supervision of the probation service. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceMs Egan received 240 hours of community service in lieu of 16 months in custody. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceMs Egan must set up a standing order of €10 to be paid to Ballymore GAA. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceMr Bowling must set up a standing order of €15 to be paid weekly to Ballymore GAA for the next five years. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceMr Bowling was disqualified from driving for six years. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherMs Egan reported to a Garda station that her car had been in a hit and run and claimed a red Audi hit her from behind. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherA victim impact statement from Ballymore GAA detailed €44,475 in damage from the crash and €10,000 in additional security measures. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Feb2025Longford Circuit Court hears of attempt to cover up incident which caused over €44,000 in damage to a GAA clubhouse
Court report on the sentencing of both defendants, with the victim impact figures, the details of the false hit-and-run claim, and the sentences and conditions imposed.
convicted, Stephen Bowling, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Bowlingconvicted, Tina Egan, 49, female, named, irish (judged from name)Tina Egan