A DUNMANWAY motorist whose car collided with a female jogger at a zebra crossing was convicted and fined €200 for careless driving.

John Duggan (75) of Market Square, Dunmanway contested the charge at Clonakilty District Court.

The court heard that at around 12.30pm on July 21st 2024 the accused was driving through Dunmanway town centre when a collision occurred involving Anna Brosnan.

Ms Brosnan was jogging at the time while wearing headphones and stopped at the crossing close to St Patrick’s Church on Chapel Street.

Ms Brosnan told the court that  she stopped at the zebra crossing and saw there was a car approaching that would not have had time to stop for her.

‘I let that car pass and the accused’s car then approached. I indicated that I was about to step on to the zebra crossing. I made it about 75% across the road when I was hit by his car. My left hip went on to the bonnet and my right foot stayed on the road and twisted in a way that I broke my tibia,’ said Ms Brosnan,

The court heard that the accused stayed at the scene with the injured party and her mother, offering his support.

Gda John Maher said paramedics were treating Ms Brosnan for injuries to her right leg when he arrived on the scene.

He said that the accused made a detailed statement about the incident at Clonakilty Garda Station on September 18th 2024.

Defence solicitor Gerard Corcoran said there was some contention about where his client’s car collided with Ms Brosnan.

Mr Duggan said in his statement that Ms Brosnan made contact with the front wing and headlight area of his car.

Ms Brosnan, however, stated that she was struck by the bonnet at the front of the car.

Mr Corcoran said that his client has fully compensated her since.

Tony O’Driscoll who was driving directly behind the accused’s car, witnessed the incident.

He said he saw Ms Brosnan run straight across the road as Mr Duggan’s car approached.

‘She realised it was not going to stop. When he saw what was happening he swerved slightly to the right,’ said Mr O’Driscoll.

He added that, just before the collision, he could see from his car that accused was looking to the right into St Patrick’s Church to see if anyone was coming out of the church.

‘His attention was elsewhere from what I could see.’

Mr Duggan told the court that when he came to the corner of the church he glanced to the right and came back to the car in front of him.

‘I was coming onto the zebra crossing and a girl came from my right and hit my car on the wing. She came along the front of my car. I got out of the car and stayed with her until her mother came,’ he said.

He said he did not see any hand signal from Ms Brosnan.

Insp Roisín O’Dea asked the accused at what point had he noticed Ms Brosnan.

‘She must have run into my car. I did not even see what was happening. My attention was on the car in front of me,’ he said.

Judge Joanne Carroll convicted and fined him €200, with recognisances for appeal fixed in his own bond of €100.

‘It should not cause a loss of confidence in your driving. You handled the whole situation very honourably,’ she said.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.