A van driver who struck a pedestrian five days before Christmas and fled the scene in a “full-blown panic attack” has been fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for three months.
The incident occurred at around 5:30pm on December 20th, 2024, on Old Bawn Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Tallaght District Court heard that the victim sustained serious injuries including four broken ribs, a broken nose, 12 stitches and a broken wrist requiring surgery.
Christopher Armstrong (39), who lives at Allenton Drive, Ballycragh, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to failing to remain at the scene. CCTV footage showed him stopping the van and getting out to check on the injured man before leaving the scene without providing any details.
His solicitor, Padraig O’Donovan, told the court that the defendant had entered his estate and stopped to wait for a right turn when he said a man dressed in black walked out from behind a parked car. “By the time he saw him, the pedestrian was already halfway across the van. He slammed on the brakes, but the van collided with the pedestrian,” Mr O’Donovan said.
The court heard that the defendant got out immediately to check on the man’s condition and had asked if he was okay. A woman from another vehicle called 999. The defendant then returned to his van and experienced what his solicitor described as a “full-blown panic attack.”
The van was later identified on CCTV and Gardaí called to Armstrong’s home. The court heard the driver admitted what had happened and fully cooperated with the investigation. He has no previous convictions and was fully insured.
Mr O’Donovan said his client was extremely remorseful, had written a letter of apology to the injured man and has since struggled with anxiety and depression. The court heard Armstrong supports his family and works full-time.
Judge John O’Leary said that while there were strong mitigating factors, the seriousness of the injuries and failure to remain at the scene warranted a conviction. “I would have thought disqualification was less of a concern than imprisonment,” he remarked.
Armstrong was convicted, fined €1,000, and disqualified from driving for three months. Judge O’Leary expressed hope that the defendant’s employer would be able to accommodate the driving ban.