Child 'clipped' by driver at Kildare junction

A FORMER professional bus driver who knocked down a child at a crossing avoided a disqualification and got the minimal fine when the judge heard she had the green light.

Naas District Court heard how Margaret Dunne (65) from Corduff, Donadea was driving through Curryhills, Prosperous on the afternoon of 20 October 2023.

Sergeant Mary Meade for the state explained how she drove through this junction “as the lights changed to green”; however, this was at the same time as an 11-year-old girl decided to run across the road and “she clipped her”.

“She was taken to hospital, judge, and though shaken, there were no injuries,” confirmed the sergeant, who then added that Ms Dunne was not speeding.

“My client is very upset,” said defending solicitor Cairbre Finan.

“She used to drive professionally for a bus company and has never been in an accident before,” he revealed.

“I am familiar with this junction. It is a long junction, but the child that ran accepted she should have looked out,” he said.

“I note the charge is not that she went through a red light and that speed was not a factor, so I won’t disqualify,” said Judge John Brennan.

Instead, he convicted Ms Dunne of careless driving (S52) and fined her €300, giving her three months to pay.