Repeat offender truck driver jailed for crashing into cyclist in Dublin

A truck driver who crashed into a cyclist in Dublin, seriously injuring her, while he should have been serving a five-year driving ban has been jailed.

The driver, who had 33 previous convictions, broke a red light in south Dublin and hit the woman, who broke her pelvis and suffered serious leg trauma. She was in hospital for nearly five months such was the extent of her injuries.

The victim became trapped between two sets of wheels in the truck and was dragged for about two metres before other motorists sounded their horns warning the trucker he must stop.

The driver – Kevin McMenamin (42), Church Town, Letterkenny, Co Donegal – also made a sudden movement in his truck before hitting the cyclist, in her 60s. He was serving a five-year driving ban at the time.

The crash occurred on July 22nd, 2021, at the junction of Herbert Park Road and Morehampton Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

While the cyclist, who was not named in court, was confident of getting through the junction before the lights changed, McMenamin sped up towards the lights.

He suddenly turned left onto Morehampton Rd, without indicating, and hit the cyclist as she was riding straight through the junction.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told the victim was in hospital for 19 weeks and had to undergo major surgery. McMenamin pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm.

Passing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan noted the victim had to be placed in an induced coma. He added while McMenamin had a long record history of working, had impressive references and pleaded guilty, he also has previous convictions, 33 in total.

Some of these were for road traffic offences – including drink driving – and he was disqualified from driving at the time, which was a serious aggravating factor.

Judge Nolan banned McMenamin from driving for five years as well as jailing him for 21 months. The court heard he had previously been a talent soccer player and had trials with Aston Villa and Celtic.