Driver caused four-car crash near Portlaoise
File photo for illustration
A DRIVER who caused a four-car crash on the M7 motorway near Portlaoise was convicted of careless driving when he appeared in court.
The multiple pile-up happened on a dark, foggy morning, after the driver rear-ended a car and shunted it forward into vehicles ahead.
At Portlaoise District Court last week, Ken McCarthy of 96 Moyvale, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 pleaded guilty to careless driving on 17 February 2024.
Garda McMahon testified that he attended the scene of the four-vehicle collision and later issued a summons for careless driving to Mr McCarthy.
The garda said: “He crashed into the rear of the first vehicle, which went into other vehicles in the fast lane. It was dark and slightly foggy at the time.”
Garda McMahon added that Mr McCarthy was very cooperative after the crash and helped gardaí during the investigation. He had no previous convictions.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick explained that it was “a bit misty” at the time and her client misjudged his distance from the car ahead. He was insured and third party claims following the collision were dealt with by his insurance company.
A manager in the pharmaceutical industry, the 52-year-old is married with two teenage children and had just attended some sporting activities at the time of the crash.
The solicitor said: “He very much regrets the incident.”
Judge Andrew Cody fined Mr McCarthy €350 for careless driving but did not impose a disqualification.
