A judge heard yesterday how a young Co Monaghan woman, who was driving with her two-year-old child, caused a five-vehicle pile-upon the N2 Dublin to Derry road when she overtook a car at a junction and collided with the vehicle, causing it to crash into a number of other cars.
Sharon McCarron, of Carrickaderry, Clontibret, was charged with dangerous driving but the State agreed to accept a guilty plea on a reduced careless driving charge.
After imposing a fine of €300 on McCarron and a two-year driving ban, Judge Flann Brennan decided to rescind the penalties and adjourn the case until May 1stto establish the extent of the injuries caused to a pedestrian, who had been standing on the roadway at the time of the pile-up.
Garda Insp Fintan McTiernan said thataccording to an investigating garda the injured man would suffer the effects of his injuries for the rest of his life.
However, defence lawyer Michelle Flanagan protested that the two-year driving ban was rather severe in the light of the reduced charge. She said that McCarron, who was insured, was not speeding and there was no question of drink-driving.
The incident happened because she was inexperienced as a driver, the lawyer added.
Ms Flanagan said her client was very traumatised by what happened and had since suffered nightmares. The judge has requested that the garda who investigated the incident should give evidence at the next hearing.