Two men in car that hit hidden rock and ‘took flight’ on rural Kilkenny road

A driver whose car ‘took flight’ after he lost control of it has been convicted of careless driving.

Dylan Morrissey, Glenpipe, Tullogher, Mullinavat, was travelling with his brother at Listerlin when the “very unfortunate” accident occurred.

Garda Aidan Walsh attended a two-car road traffic accident at Listerlin on July 2, 2024, at about 4.30pm.
At the scene he saw a black Peugeot, which had been driven by a woman from Mullinavat, with significant damage to the front of the vehicle.

Mr Morrissey had been travelling in a Volkswagen Golf.
Both vehicles were facing in the same direction, towards New Ross, the garda said.

The Golf had heavy damage to the front wheels and there was evidence of rolling on the roof.

The woman in the Peugeot said she had been driving towards New Ross when she saw the Golf approach from that direction.
She saw it ‘losing control and taking flight’.

Mr Morrissey told the garda he hit a rock in the ditch and his vehicle turned over.

Legal counsel for Mr Morrissey said the rock had been ‘camouflaged’ in the undergrowth.

Nobody was injured and a claim for material damages has been settled, he added.

Mr Morrissey is 25 and a primary school teacher. He is on a panel that works between Kilkenny and Wexford and needs his car to travel, the solicitor appealed to the court not to impose a disqualification.

This was “a very unfortunate accident” that occurred when Mr Morrissey saw traffic coming against him and moved to the side of the road.

The hidden rock went up under the wheel rim of his car.

Judge Geraldine Carthy said it seemed to be a “very unfortunate accident.”
She convicted Mr Morrissey of careless driving and imposed a fine of €700 with no disqualification.
recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.