Four teenagers were hospitalised, one with a brain injury, after their speeding motorboat hit the pillar of a bridge on the river Shannon. Details of the collision were revealed at Mullingar Circuit Court, sitting in Tullamore, yesterday.
Boat driver Richard Coffey of Marion Park, Blackrock, Dublin, had previously admitted a charge of endangerment by recklessly engaging in conduct with a motorboat which created a substantial risk of serious injury or death.
Sgt Sandra Keane told the court that on July 14th, 2012, Mr Coffey and some friends met up in Athlone. It was a summer's night and getting dark at 10.32pm as they set out in a friend's motorboat, a rigid inflatable boat .
Mr Coffey was driving and he was joined by David Jinks, Mollie Henshaw and Millie O'Donnell. The boat was travelling at speed when it struck the pillar of a Shannon railway bridge and started to sink. Mr Jinks was thrown into the water and Athlone lifeboat had to be launched. Another boat owner also went to the teenagers' aid.
Ms Henshaw suffered cuts and bruises, but Ms O’Donnell was knocked unconscious and suffered a bleed to her brain, Sgt Keane told the court.
All four had to be rushed to hospital in Ballinasloe and later recovered. Ms O’Donnell spent nine days in hospital with a blood clot on the surface of her brain, but was restored to health and subsequently played hockey for Ireland.
Judge Tony Hunt said she had been very lucky and, by extension, so was the accused. The accused had been operating “a vast and powerful item”.
An investigation by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board found the boat was in good working order, and noted that Mr Coffey had said that just before the crash he was surprised by a moving buoy.
Sgt Keane said one of the girls had told gardaí the boat had altered course at the last minute and Mr Coffey had said "watch this, Jinksy".
Barrister Gerard Groarke, defending, said his client was experienced with boats and had been sailing from very young. After the crash Mr Coffey had seen to it that his passengers were brought safely ashore. He had said “I killed Millie, I killed Millie” and was crying.
Judge Hunt adjourned the case for the preparation of a report on the suitability of the accused for community service.