Courts / Dublin / Report

Unaccompanied learner driver jailed over death of teen

Summary

Gareth Jones, a 22‑year‑old learner driver, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment and a five‑year driving disqualification after he was found guilty of careless driving causing the death of 16‑year‑old Paul McCormack on Tolka Valley Road, Finglas, on 26 June 2015. Jones was driving a Toyota Avensis at 70–80 km/h in a 50 km/h zone when he swerved to avoid a group of boys crossing the road. Paul changed direction and was struck, suffering fatal head injuries. The court noted a fault in the car's ABS braking system, which was not known to Jones, and that he had remained at the scene, called an ambulance and made admissions to Gardaí. The judge, citing Jones' youth, the lack of a qualified driver in the car, and the impact on the McCormack family, imposed the nine‑month term and the disqualification.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Unaccompanied learner driver jailed over death of teen. Charges or matters: careless driving causing the death of Paul McCormack at Tolka Valley Road, Finglas on June 26, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 26, 2015 Incident
• 2016-10-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

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Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report