Man gets prison sentence for 'catastrophic' crash involving Offaly woman

A COUNTY Cork man was convicted and imprisoned during a recent court sitting for causing a “catastrophic” traffic accident which resulted in serious injuries for a woman from Ferbane.

Ann Madden, from Aughaboy, Ferbane was described as being a “beloved wife, mother and grandmother” who suffered very severe injuries due to the “reckless, dangerous and ignorant driving” of a 37 year old man, Roscommon Circuit Court was told.

Last year, Simon James, Carrignaneelagh, Kilbarry, Macroom, County Cork, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Ann Madden at Knocknanool, Brideswell, County Roscommon on February 24th, 2023.

Mr James came before Judge Kenneth Connolly on a signed plea of guilty and was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment at the recent Roscommon Circuit Court sitting.

READ NEXT: Go east young man: Architect's vision of a new frontier for Offaly town

The court heard that Mrs Madden, who was a front seat passenger in a car being driven by her husband, Liam, suffered multiple traumatic injuries, requiring neurosurgery at Beaumont Hospital. Mrs Madden subsequently passed away in May, 2023 of sepsis in Tullamore Hospital.

Giving evidence, Garda Colum Barron said at 6.50pm Gardaí attended the scene of a two-vehicle “head-on collision” on the R363 Brideswell to Athlone Road. The speed limit on the road was 80 kms per hour.

Garda Barron said eye-witnesses told him that the accused had overtaken several vehicles while approaching a hidden bend. The accused also told him that he had overtaken two cars and “didn't clock” the oncoming vehicle, which was being driven by Liam Madden.

Mr James was breathalysed and tested for drugs on the roadside, and he passed both of these tests. The collision was the subject of a forensic investigation which found the accused had performed a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre for 150 metres. It said that had he not done this, the collision would not have happened.

Giving his victim impact statement, Mr Madden said his wife had been the “primary and innocent victim” of an “appalling catastrophe”. They had been chatting, having a “mundane” conversation when they saw the accused's headlights coming towards them. He said that the loss of his “beloved wife” had benighted all their family's lives.

His wife had suffered severe traumatic injuries but, displaying her “indomitable spirit”, she had fought with every fibre of her being. Her “beautiful and gentle soul” departed this world in May 2023. A former civil servant, he said that she was a quiet and unassuming person who was loved and respected by her colleagues in the Revenue Office in Athlone.

Barrister Mr John Shortt SC said his client had no previous convictions and apologised to the Madden family. He said that Mr James had come forward to the circuit court on a signed plea of guilty, a rare occurrence in these types of cases.

READ NEXT: Rory's Stories podcaster launches Offaly artist's 'Ubiquitous' exhibition

Judge Connolly said it was a very difficult case, which clearly had reached the custodial threshold. He said the scene of the crash had been one of “utter carnage”. He said the CCTV footage showed that it was “a reckless and dangerous act.” He pointed out that there was some “spectre of speed” in the case although there was no evidence before the court of the accused's speed. He also noted that no financial gesture to the victims had been made by the accused.

He sentenced to 32 months imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended for three years post release. He also disqualified from driving for six years.

The Judge offered his sincere condolences to the Madden family. He also commended them on their courage and dignity and hoped the sentence would provide some closure for them.