Woman, 33, pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of 'inspirational' school teacher

A 33-year old west Clare woman today pleaded guilty to the dangerous driving causing the death of ‘inspirational’ school teacher, Michael Lorigan, 70.

At Ennis Circuit Court on Monday, Ms Saoirse Lillis McMahon of Moveen East, Kilkee pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of cyclist, Michael Lorigan on August 16, 2023 on the N67 at Baunmore, Kilkee in west Clare contrary to Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act.

The fatal road traffic incident occurred at around 12.30pm on the day.

Ms Lillis McMahon is facing other less serious charges concerning the fatal incident and counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL said “we expect that there will be guilty pleas in relation to other matters and some administrative work has to be done in the background first”.

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Ms Comerford (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that the guilty plea has been entered at this time “to provide some comfort to Mr Lorigan’s family”.

Judge Francis Comerford commented: “The guilty plea is a solemn acceptance of guilt in respect of the death of Mr Lorigan and it is better that it's done sooner rather than later.”

Judge Comerford said that as the case involved the loss of the life of Mr Lorigan it is the most serious case that can come before the circuit court.

Sarah Jane Comerford said that Mr Lorigan’s widow, Dymphna will be giving a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing and Judge Comerford said that others may want to as well.

Members of Mr Lorigan’s family were in court for Mr Lillis McMahon’s arraignment hearing.

Judge Comerford asked does Ms Lillis McMahon have any previous convictions and in response, Rebecca Treacy BL said that there are some driving previous convictions.

Ms Treacy (instructed by solicitor, John Casey) asked that the legal aid certificate be extended to cover a psychologist’s report.

Ms Treacy said that Ms Lillis McMahon has been attending a psychologist at Kilrush day hospital.

Ms Treacy also requested a Probation Report and Ms Comerford said that this could be ordered after Ms Lillis McMahon has entered pleas to other charges before the court.

In the case, Ms Lillis McMahon is also charged with drink driving at the same location on the same date where there was a concentration of 93 mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine.

Ms Lillis McMahon is also charged with being under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the her vehicle at the same location on the same date.

Ms Lillis McMahon is also charged with driving without insurance, driving without a valid driver’s licence and driving a defective vehicle at the same location on the same date.

Ms Comerford said that there was no difficulty with Ms Lillis McMahon being remanded on continuing bail to Ennis Circuit Court on February 3.

Originally from Benvoran, Kilmurry McMahon, Co Clare and living in Kilkishen in east Clare at the time of his death, Mr Lorigan taught for a number of decades at the Model School in Limerick city.

Mr Lorigan taught there from the mid-1970s until his retirement and was remembered as an inspirational, kind, patient, dedicated and wonderful teacher in the many tributes from former students at the time of his death in August 2023.

In later years, Mr Lorigan became a keen cyclist, and took part in the Clare 250 mile cycle many times.

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