Man pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of his 21-year-old niece in Limerick

A Limerick native has pled guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of his niece, Marguerita (Maggie) O'Rourke (née Sheridan), at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court this Thursday, July 17. 

Danny O’Donoghue, aged 42, of Lower Main Street, Rathkeale, County Limerick was arraigned on four charges before Judge Colin Daly.

Mr O’Donoghue, who appeared via video-link from Portlaoise Prison where he has been on remand, said “guilty” when the court registrar put each of the four charges to him.

Mr O’Donoghue is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Ms O'Rourke (née Sheridan) at Bank Place, Well Lane, Rathkeale on December 21, 2024.

He is also charged with causing criminal damage to a set of gates, property of Mary Teresa O'Rourke, at the same location on the same date.

Mr O’Donoghue is further charged with producing a machete in the course of a dispute, in a manner to intimidate another person, at Ballywilliam, Rathkeale also on December 21,2024. 

As well as this, the accused is charged with causing criminal damage to a van, property of a Patrick Sheridan, on the same date and location in Rathkeale.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, said there are two offence locations on the same day.

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“The deceased was 21 years of age in respect of the dangerous driving causing death charge. Her husband is in the United Kingdom. Victim impact statements have to be canvassed. Her parents John Sheridan and Margaret Sheridan equally need to be canvassed.

"She had one brother and she had a three-week-old baby at the time of her death. The victim impact statements will be prepared expeditiously,” said Ms Buckley.

Judge Daly said it was a matter of some sensitivity and asked for an afternoon to be set aside for sentencing.

Michael Bowman SC, who represented Mr O’Donoghue during the brief procedural matter, asked for a prison governor’s report and education report to be directed to Portlaoise Prison.

“The tragic deceased was actually the niece of the defendant,” said Mr Bowman.

Judge Daly said it was a “sad case, indeed”.

Mr O’Donoghue is due to be sentenced on October 29 in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. He was remanded in continuing custody until that date.

Judge Daly asked the accused if he understood this, with Mr O’Donoghue confirming that he did. 

There were a number of senior gardai in court including Detective Sergeant Michael Reidy and Detective Sergeant Ted Riordan.