Banned, serial offending ex-GAA star won't face more prison time for driving over cyclist despite DPP appeal

A former Donegal GAA player will not serve additional prison time following an unsuccessful appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Court of Appeal. Kevin McMenamin, aged 43, from Letterkenny, was convicted of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm after striking a cyclist with a heavy goods vehicle in Dublin in July 2021. He was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment in January 2024 and disqualified from driving for five years. McMenamin had been released from custody in October 2024 after nine months, having been transferred to an open prison following enhanced remission application. The DPP argued the sentence was unduly lenient given McMenamin's 33 previous convictions, including multiple drink-driving and driving-without-insurance offences, and that he was already disqualified when the incident occurred. Justice Tara Burns dismissed the appeal, finding the sentence, while lenient, was not unduly so, having regard to mitigating factors including McMenamin's guilty plea, remorse, and work history.