One-year jail term for driver after man dragged along by car during argument in Cork

A one-year jail term and four-year driving ban were imposed on a young motorist for dangerous driving where another young man was dragged along with the open driver’s door of his car during an argument, causing him serious injury.

The scenario was described by Garda Joe Halpin at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Sinead Behan imposed a sentence of two years, with half of it suspended, in the case against Kyle Edwards.

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm to another man in Crosshaven, Co Cork, during Christmas week in 2022.

Edwards, previously of The Pines, Bridgemount, Carrigaline, admitted that on December 18, 2022, at The Square, Crosshaven, Co Cork, he drove in a manner that was dangerous to the public, causing serious bodily harm to Patrick Crowley. And on the same date at Lower Rd, Crosshaven, Edwards had cannabis in his possession for his own use.

Senior counsel Donal O’Sullivan said the defendant was 19 at the time. He was insured and licensed to drive.

He added: “He left the scene, but the reality is that everyone around there knew him. And he knew that they did.

“He has no previous convictions. On the night, he gave a version of events. He made admissions.

“His narrative was that his girlfriend was the ex-girlfriend of another person present [not the injured party].

“They told the gardaí they wanted him to stop drink-driving but he gave a different account — that he was under threat. He is someone who has the potential to do well in life.”

Garda Halpin said the defendant was parked, and the injured party approached and spoke to him with the driver’s door open. 

He added: “He put his car into reverse. Patrick Crowley was struck by the open door and dragged out onto the square. He was dragged across the road. The car rolled over him as it was driven away. His principal injury was a fractured left hip.”