A man has admitted to dangerous driving that caused the death of a young woman in Lifford in 2021 — just hours after she had been looking at wedding dresses, reports The Mirror.
Sean Connaughton entered a guilty plea at Letterkenny Circuit Court to one charge related to a hit-and-run incident that occurred at Townparks, Lifford, Co Donegal, on July 11, 2021.
The victim, 34-yr-old pedestrian Laura Connolly, was taken to University Hospital Letterkenny from the scene, where she was later pronounced dead, reports The Mirror.
Earlier that day, Ms Connolly had been dress shopping with friends in preparation for her planned 2022 wedding to her fiancé, Joe McCullagh.
Connaughton, a father of two originally from Donegal but living in Co Louth, spoke only to enter his guilty plea. The charge is under section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, reports The Mirror.
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His barrister, Mr Peter Nolan—led by Mr Colm Smyth SC and instructed by solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian—said there were additional matters that would be addressed at a later stage.
He noted that Connaughton has been out on bail for four years and has abided by all bail conditions throughout that period, reports The Mirror.
Mr Nolan told Judge Roderick Maguire that aside from a previous road traffic offence some years ago, his client had no criminal record.
He requested that a probation and welfare report be prepared for Connaughton.
Mr Nolan acknowledged the hardship experienced by Ms Connolly’s family but said his client has also been under significant emotional strain since the crash, reports The Mirror.
He also asked the court to approve a psychiatric report and a GP’s report to address medical concerns related to his client’s health and medication.
Ms Fiona Crawford BL, representing the State, said she had no objection to Connaughton continuing on bail, reports The Mirror.
Judge Maguire said the matter would be adjourned to the October session of the circuit court for sentencing, but cautioned that, due to existing delays in the Probation Services, the required report might not be ready in time.
If so, he advised the Connolly family that sentencing might need to be postponed until February 2026.
Judge Maguire also extended his condolences to members of the Connolly family who were present in court, reports The Mirror.
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