Ireland Case No. 9483Careless driving · Co. Kilkenny · 7 Aug 2025
Woman convicted of careless driving after Kilkenny collision
On 7 August 2025 at about 6.20pm, a SMax driven by Patricia Stapleton crossed the white line near the entrance to the Lyrath Estate in Purcellsinch, Kilkenny, and hit a car driven by another woman, whose age is not given. A 15-year-old passenger in the other car had minor bruising, and both drivers were seriously injured. Stapleton pleaded guilty to careless driving at Kilkenny District Court, which fined her €700 and disqualified her from driving for one year, with recognisance fixed in the event of an appeal. The conviction and sentence were reported on 29 October 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted29 Oct
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A woman was convicted of careless driving after a collision in which both drivers were seriously injured.
- The SMax driven by Patricia Stapleton crossed the white line and hit a car driven by another woman.
- Where
- The collision happened close to the entrance to the Lyrath Estate in Purcellsinch, Kilkenny.
- When
- The collision happened on 7 August 2025 at about 6.20pm.
- Cause
- Three motorists driving behind told gardaí the car was going over and back before the crash and its brake lights were not seen.
- A medical consultant thought a brain bleed may have caused the crash, but there was no conclusive evidence it happened before the collision.
- Investigation
- A garda who spoke to the driver recorded that she said she was a bit tired.
- Other details
- The other driver was taken to hospital with an arm laceration, a spleen injury and a fractured breast bone.
- A 15-year-old passenger in the other car had minor bruising but no serious injuries.
- Stapleton was diagnosed with a brain bleed and had a neck fracture, a collapsed lung and a fractured breast bone.
- In court
- Kilkenny District Court heard that Stapleton had pleaded guilty.
- Sentence
- Stapleton was fined €700 and disqualified from driving for one year.
- Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA woman was convicted of careless driving after a collision in which both drivers were seriously injured. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatThe SMax driven by the convicted woman crossed the white line and hit a car driven by another woman. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe collision happened close to the entrance to the Lyrath Estate in Purcellsinch. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe collision happened on 7 August 2025 at about 6.20pm. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeThree motorists who were driving behind told gardaí the car was going over and back before the accident and its brake lights were not seen. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- causeA medical consultant thought the brain bleed may have caused the accident, but there was no conclusive evidence it happened before the collision. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe court heard that the convicted woman had pleaded guilty. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe woman was fined €700 and disqualified from driving for one year. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe other driver was taken to hospital with an arm laceration, a spleen injury and a fractured breast bone. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherA 15-year-old passenger in the other car had minor bruising but no serious injuries. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe convicted woman was diagnosed with a brain bleed and had a neck fracture, a collapsed lung and a fractured breast bone. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherRecognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal. (kilkennypeople.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Oct2026Serious accident on Kilkenny outskirts may have been caused by driver's brain bleed
Reports the conviction and sentence for a 2025 collision. No existing case in the list matches this incident.
convicted, Patricia Stapleton, 75, female, named, irish (judged from name)Patricia Stapletonvictim, femalevictim, 15