Man admits dangerous driving causing death of bride-to-be

A man has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of a young woman in Co Donegal in 2021 – hours after she had been "window shopping" for wedding dresses.

Sean Connaughton appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to a single charge arising out of a hit-and-run incident at Townparks, Lifford, on July 11th, 2021.

Laura Connolly, a 34-year-old pedestrian, was taken from the scene to Letterkenny University Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Ms Connolly had been earlier shopping for a wedding dress with friends as she had been due to marry her partner Joe McCullagh in 2022.

Father-of-two Connaughton, from Co Donegal but with an address in Co Louth, spoke only to plead guilty when he appeared in court.

The charge is contrary to section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act.

A number of members of the late Ms Connolly's family were present in court for the brief hearing at Letterkenny courthouse.

Barrister for Connaughton, Peter Nolan, led by Colm Smyth SC and instructed by solicitor Frank Dorrian, said other matters will be dealt with in due course.

He said his client has now been on bail for four years and has complied with all bail conditions to date.

He told Judge Roderick Maguire that apart from one road traffic matter some time ago, his client had no previous convictions.

Mr Nolan said he was anxious that a probation and welfare report be obtained for his client.

He said he appreciated all that Ms Connolly's family had been through but added that his client had also been suffering from great stress and anxiety since the incident.

Mr Nolan asked for a psychiatric report and also to a GP's report to allow for medication for various other matters.

Fiona Crawford BL, barrister for the State, said there was no objection to Connaughton being granted bail.

Judge Maguire said he would adjourn the case until the October sessions of the circuit court for sentencing but warned that due to great pressure on the Probation Services, a report may not be ready by then.

If that is the case, he informed the Connolly family that sentencing may regrettably have to be adjourned until February 2026.

Judge Maguire also offered his sympathies to members of the Connolly family in court.