A driver who caused multiple fractures to a young woman's pelvis by reversing into her after a beer bottle was thrown through his rear windscreen has been jailed for six months.
Wayne Ward (20), of Sillogue Avenue, Ballymun, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious harm to Ms Andrea O'Neill on October 22nd, 2000.
Ms O'Neill's pelvis was broken in a number of places following the accident and required major surgery.
Judge Yvonne Murphy said the speed and recklessness of Ward's driving and the fact that he had left the scene of the incident were among aggravating factors in the incident.
"If it wasn't for his guilty plea and other mitigating factors I have heard I would be minded to impose a sentence of 15 months," she added.
Garda Tadhg Mahally told Mr Roger Sweetman, prosecuting, that Ward had driven his mother's car to the Red Herring pub in Howth but was not drinking.
Ward and his friends became involved in a verbal argument with Ms O'Neill's friends there and, following the confrontation, he subsequently left with them when his friends were put out by the doormen.
The altercation continued outside, but Ward disappeared and returned a few moments later with the car.
Three of his friends got into it, but as they were driving away someone from the car threw a bottle towards the group on the footpath.
Garda Mahally said the car continued a few yards but stopped when the bottle came back through the rear windscreen.
Ward reversed at speed, and another bottle came through the passenger window.
He then reversed up on to the footpath and struck Ms O'Neill before taking off.
Garda Mahally said when he arrived on the scene there was a great deal of blood around, and Ms O'Neill was lying on the ground in some pain.
She was taken to Beaumont Hospital.
Garda∅ traced the car back to Ward after they found a garage sticker on one of the broken windows lying on the ground.
Ward said he was unaware he had struck Ms O'Neill but admitted that his driving was probably to blame for her injuries.
Garda Mahally agreed with Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, that Ward was highly culpable of executing very bad judgment.
He also agreed that the possibility of Ward offending again was not likely.
Mr O'Higgins said Ward had instructed him to tender a heartfelt apology to Ms O'Neill.