AN OFF-DUTY garda has been fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for two years after being found guilty of dangerous driving resulting in death.
Adrian O'Donoghue, Rosscastle Grove, Ross Road, Killarney, Co Kerry, was involved in a collision on the N17 between Ballindine and Tuam on August 14th, 2007, in which his mother, Margaret O'Donoghue - a front-seat passenger in O'Donoghue's car - was killed.
O'Donoghue was driving home from Knock Shrine with his mother and another back-seat passenger at about 3pm. It had been raining heavily and the roads were wet, the court heard.
On a single carriageway and on a left-hand bend, O'Donoghue overtook a vehicle on a continuous white line and while on the wrong side of the road collided with a Ford Transit van. Mrs O'Donoghue was killed.
Gardaí at the scene informed the Garda Ombudsman, and Insp Darren Wright carried out a full investigation.
Solicitor for O'Donoghue, Pádraig J O'Connell, told Dunmore District Court that his client is permitted to recommence his duties.
However, at this stage it would appear that he will probably only be fit for office duties.
"He was extremely close to his mother. He is still suffering hugely and this will live with him forever," said Mr O'Connell.
Judge Geoffrey Browne described the incident as "totally tragic".
Taking his plea into consideration, coupled with the fact that he co-operated fully with gardaí and had no previous convictions, Judge Browne said he would not be sending him to prison. "He has lost enough and has to live with this for the rest of his life."