Kildare driver who tested positive for cannabis reversed his van over woman 

A van driver who tested positive for cannabis caused life-changing injuries to a woman he struck while reversing his vehicle in an industrial estate in Kildare almost two years ago, a court has heard.

James Coogan (43) pleaded guilty at a sitting of Naas Circuit Criminal Court to a charge of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Julia Torrado at Naas Industrial Estate, Naas, Co Kildare on 17 January 2023. Mr Coogan, a father of three from Moyleabbey, Crookstown, Ballitore, Co Kildare, also pleaded guilty to a charge of drug driving.

Garda Ronan Fahy told the court that the victim was going for a walk during an afternoon break from a safety course she was attending. The court heard that she passed a white Ford Transit van that was parked while making a delivery in a service area of a training firm, Shorcontrol Safety.

CCTV footage shown in court captured how the van hit and knocked Ms Torrado over as it reversed out of the service area.

Garda Fahy said the rear wheels of the van had passed over the victim and she was trapped under the vehicle. The court heard she suffered fractures to her pelvis and a rib as well as cuts to her legs and she was required to spend five days receiving treatment at Tallaght University Hospital.

In a victim impact statement read out on her behalf in court, Ms Torrado described what she called “the most horrific day in my whole life”.

“I could see all my life finish if the van did not stop,” she added. Ms Torrado said she spent four months during which she could not walk or drive and was in “a lot of pain”.

The court heard she was out of work for five months and still required medical care for her injuries.

Garda Fahy told counsel for the DPP, Jordan Fletcher BL, that the accused made immediate admissions about his role in the incident and tested negative for alcohol.

Cross-examined by defence counsel, Willie Hughes BL, Garda Fahy said the driver had voluntarily admitted to having smoked two joints of cannabis the previous evening. The witness acknowledged that Mr Coogan was co-operative and remorseful.

The court heard that the defendant, who comes originally from Kilcullen, had worked as a driver with a courier company since 2017.

Mr Hughes said Mr Coogan had started taking drugs since he was 17 but had stopped taking all other types of drugs apart from cannabis since the birth of his eldest daughter 21 years ago. Counsel informed Judge Martina Baxter that Mr Coogan also does not drink alcohol. He said the accused never intended to take any drugs again after what happened.

While Mr Coogan accepted that his career as a van driver was over, Mr Hughes said his current employer had the offer of a job in its depot for him.

Although the defendant did not want anything to detract from his actions on the day, Mr Hughes pointed out that one witness recalled seeing the driver check his mirrors continuously.

The court heard that Mr Coogan was collecting €5,000 to offer as a token of remorse to his victim.

Judge Baxter observed that illegal drugs adversely affected people’s behaviour and that Mr Coogan was responsible for “a serious driving offence”. The judge also noted that the duty of care of a driver was higher with the greater size of their vehicle.

She remanded Mr Coogan on bail to appear before the same court again on 26 March 2025 for finalisation of sentencing.