Head-on crash ‘threw a grenade into our lives’, mother tells court in Cork

Judge Cormac Quinn said the victim’s injuries were the worst he had seen in such cases.

Garda Mary Brosnan testified that the accident occurred at 6.45pm on February 23, 2023, on the N72 at Pallas, Lombardstown, Mallow, County Cork.

Garda Brosnan said Mary O’Brien was driving from Killarney when her Mercedes Benz veered to its incorrect side of the road and collided with a Renault Grand Scenic driven by the woman, who is now 45. Her nine-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter were passengers. 

Garda Brosnan said the seriously injured driver sustained a fractured pelvis and a number of breaks to both legs while her son had a fractured elbow and collar bone and her daughter also had a broken pelvis.

Mary O’Brien who admitted that her careless driving caused the accident sustained a broken ankle, Garda Brosnan said. The 71-year-old was questioned on two occasions and both times she enquired about the injured parties but was told not to contact them as it was an ongoing investigation.

The main victim said feelings of fear and dread coursed through her as she saw lights coming towards her and said she replays this moment quite often. She said it was futile to try to swerve to protect herself and her children. 

“I have likened it to assault on our minds, bodies and souls… 

This accident threw a grenade into our lives and we are left to pick up the pieces. 

“I was lifted out of the car like a rag-doll. (Now) I feel like I am 90 when I start my day,” she said.

The victim expressed her feeling that the defendant had shown a lack of regard for her and her family. The injured party received a letter of apology on June 6. The injured party said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, “Your letter of apology felt more like your victim impact statement.” 

She said that a card with a short apology would have been appreciated but not the letter written by the defendant.

Defence barrister, Donal O’Sullivan, said: “My client expressed herself very badly in the letter. She is remorseful. She has never been in trouble in her life. She does not want to cause any further upset.” 

Probation

Judge Cormac Quinn said he was concerned about the fact that the defence were saying that the defendant was full of remorse but that the injured party did not accept this. He said that in those circumstances he wanted a probation report on the defendant and in particular he wanted the possibility of restorative justice. 

The injured party indicated that she would prefer to have the case finalised.

Judge Quinn said: “It is not going to be finalised today… I would not be happy with the accused trying to undo what was done in the letter. I am going to put it back for a probation report. The probation officer will interview the accused and you (the injured party) can engage with restorative justice if you want that.

“Obviously she (injured party) has been to hell and back with her injuries. Her injuries are the most serious I have come across in one of these cases.”

Adjourning for a probation report, the judge said it is also to explore “the attitude, understanding or remorse of the accused”. The case was put back to October 30 on which date another date shortly thereafter will be set for finalisation.