A woman from Co Donegal who was set to be married was fatally struck by a disqualified driver just hours after she had been out browsing for her wedding gown, a court has been told.
Letterkenny Circuit Court heard that Laura Connolly, aged 34, lost her life after a van struck her and drove away without stopping on the outskirts of Lifford, Co Donegal, in the early hours of 11 July 2021, reports RTE.
The driver of the van, Sean Connaughton, aged 55, did not remain at the scene on the N15 road at Townspark, Lifford. The former firefighter, who was operating a leased pub at the time, had already been banned from driving for four years from 10 April 2020, having previously been caught without insurance.
He made his way to his partner’s home in Dundalk before handing himself in to Letterkenny Garda Station the following day upon learning that a woman had died, reports RTE.
Ms Connolly, a mother of one from Croaghan Heights in Lifford, had been preparing to wed her childhood sweetheart, Joseph McCullagh, whom she had been in a relationship with since the age of 16. Connaughton, whose address is listed at Doolargy Avenue in Dundalk, Co Louth, appeared in court having already entered a guilty plea to one count of dangerous driving causing death.
He was subsequently arraigned on three additional charges — failing to remain at the scene of an accident, driving without insurance, and driving without a valid licence, reports RTE.
Garda Sergeant Eamon Roarty of Milford Garda Station gave an account of the incident to State Prosecutor Ms Fiona Crawford BL. The court heard that Ms Connolly was among five women walking along a footpath at Townspark when the collision occurred, approximately 200 metres from the Three Coins roundabout.
A statement from a witness, Rory Gallagher, was read to the court, in which he described hearing a loud bang before calling 999 at 2.38am. He and his father, who had emergency services training, both attempted to perform CPR on Ms Connolly but were unable to detect a pulse, reports RTE.
Ms Connolly was transported by ambulance to Letterkenny University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 4am. A report from State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers attributed her death to blunt force traumatic injuries.
Laura’s mother Rosemary described losing her only daughter and closest friend, saying they had lived just six doors apart and had spent many months joyfully planning what was to be her perfect wedding. Victim impact statements were also presented on behalf of Laura’s father Jimmy, her brother James, her son Jamie, and her partner Joseph McCullagh, reports RTE.
The court was informed that Connaughton has 16 prior convictions, including five under the Road Traffic Act, two under the Larceny Act, and others related to Covid regulations during his time running a licensed premises. Defence barrister Colm Smyth SC, with Peter Nolan BL and instructed by solicitor Frank Dorrian, informed the court that a verified threat had been made against Connaughton and his family, which led to them relocating from Donegal, and that he no longer has contact with his two adult children as a result.
Taking to the witness stand, Connaughton said that whatever words he could offer the Connolly family would bring them no comfort. He added that he accepts he has to live with what he did every single day, and stated that had he obeyed his driving ban, “Laura would have been alive,” reports RTE.
A character reference from the Donegal Fire Service was submitted to the court, noting that Connaughton had provided training and instruction to fellow firefighters across various disciplines during his time stationed in Glenties. Defence counsel asked Judge John Aylmer to weigh all the circumstances, including that Connaughton had lost contact with his children, received a threat, and been forced to leave his home county.
Judge Aylmer indicated he would take time to carefully consider all matters before adjourning the final sentencing hearing until the following week. The accused was released on continuing bail, reports RTE.
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