Garda 'left to die' by drunk driver in hit-and-run hopes to return to work

A GARDA inspector who was knocked down by a drunk female motorist, who then failed to remain at the scene, has described how  she “left me to die at the side of the road”.

In a victim impact statement, Insp Niall Flood, who has been left with life-changing injuries including the amputation of a foot, said the accused’s actions were “unforgivable and incomprehensible”.

Niamh McDonnell, aged 30, of Gortskagh, Castlemahon, County Limerick pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, drink driving, drug driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

The offences occurred at Clonmore, Dromcollogher in west Limerick on June 30, 2022.

At Limerick Circuit Court this Monday, prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by Kerry State Solicitor Diane Reidy, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Sergeant Michael Reidy.

Ms Buckley said Ms McDonnell left work (at a creche) on the date in question at around 2.20pm / 2.30pm and went to a pub with a colleague.

Ms Buckley said the defendant consumed five vodka and Red Bulls followed by five shots which included two flatliners - a combination of tequila and sambuca - a shot containing red and blue Aftershock liqueur, a shot of Sheep Dog whiskey and a butter ball which is butterscotch schnapps and Baileys.

Ms McDonnell was dropped back to her car, declined a lift home, got into a Volkswagen Passat, owned by her mother-in-law, and drove home. She texted the colleague she had been drinking with later that night saying: “Why did I drive?”

Ms Buckley said Insp Flood (pictured below) had finished work shortly after 5pm and went for a cycle.

Det Sgt Reidy said Insp Flood, who at the time of the incident had 27 years service, was an avid cyclist who cycled 200kms a week. He said the inspector - who was based in Limerick city at the time - was wearing high visibility cycling gear with a flashing light on his back and was cycling on the edge of a straight road.

Ms Buckley said an eyewitness observed the Volkswagen being driven “erratically and too fast”.

Det Sgt Reidy said according to the forensic collision investigator it was a “glancing blow” as Ms McDonnell attempted to overtake the cyclist.

“His foot became trapped between the headlight and wing of the car. He came back on the windscreen and landed 15 or 16 metres further away in a drain,” said Det Sgt Reidy, who added that there were no skid marks from the car or the bike.

Such was the damage to the vehicle, the detective sergeant thought it had been involved in a collision with another car when he saw it.

Ms Buckley said the amputated foot in the car was discovered when Ms McDonnell returned home. She then told her partner she thought she had hit someone and he went to look at the car. Emergency services were contacted by the partner on Ms McDonnell's phone.

Det Sgt Reidy said Insp Flood was in a dyke, submerged in water up to his chest area. Passers-by had come to Insp Flood’s aid and an improvised tourniquet was made in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

“He found himself to be totally blind due to the shock to his system caused by the impact. He was aware he had suffered a significant leg injury. He would have been in and out of consciousness. There was genuine concern for the welfare of Niall Flood,” said Det Sgt Reidy.

Insp Flood was subsequently taken by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital.

The injuries Insp Floor sustained included a traumatic amputation of a foot, open fracture to the left shoulder, renal laceration, injuries to his right arm, spinal injuries. He is currently being fitted for a prosthesis - a process which is ongoing.

Det Sgt Reidy said Ms McDonnell stated, in one of her first interviews after she was arrested, that she had smoked cannabis before work, had consumed one Red Bull and vodka, that a cyclist was in the middle of the road and wouldn’t move despite her beeping at him.

Det Sgt Reidy said as more evidence was put to her she “progressively” made admissions. Ms Buckley said that Ms McDonnell told gardai that if she could give Insp Flood her leg she would.

The court heard Ms McDonnell told gardai: “I freaked out. I didn’t mean to leave him there.”

Insp Flood’s wife Margaret read out her victim impact statement. She said the phone call she received on June 30, 2022, changed her life forever. She said she was afraid her husband was going to die.

“He almost lost his fight to survive and I almost lost him,” said Ms Flood, who only learned that her husband’s foot had been trapped in the car Ms McDonnell was driving from media reports.

Ms Flood said Ms McDonnell “drove off and left him for dead” adding: “I can’t comprehend a human doing that. You wouldn’t do it to a dog.”

Ms Flood, spoke of the six months her husband spent, in total, in hospitals and the ongoing medical appointments which, she said, are all due to the actions of the defendant

“Our lives will never be the same again,” said Ms Flood.

Insp Flood’s victim impact statement was read out by Ms Buckley. He had intended on attending court but couldn’t due to a lung infection.

Insp Flood outlined how while lying in a drain, he was unable to see but knew his foot had been amputated.

The court heard of the “excruciating pain” he was in for weeks.

Insp Flood wrote that he has thought about how different things would be if she (Ms McDonnell) did not drive that evening.

“She left me to die on the side of the road. Why didn’t you stop? In fact, why did you drive?” wrote Insp Flood, who intends to return to An Garda Siochana.

The victim impact statement said that he cycled, swam or ran five times a week prior to the incident.

“I get angry that I can't do the things I did before. I can’t take part in physical activities like I did before,” wrote Insp Flood.

His statement concluded by saying the accused’s criminal act of drink and drug driving turned his life and his family’s lives on their heads forever.

Brian McInerney SC, defence barrister, said Ms McDonnell has instructed him to apologise unreservedly. He said what occurred was “unforgivable”.

“If it was open to her she would reverse time or sacrifice whatever she could but that is not possible,” said Ms McInerney, who asked Judge Tom O’Donnell to take into account her early pleas and early admissions made progressively during garda interviews.

“She accepts she should have stopped. She accepts she shouldn’t have driven. She has no criminal convictions. She has a strong work ethic, a partner and is the mother of two young children,” said Mr McInerney.

The senior counsel spoke of Ms McDonnell’s “traumatic and horrible” experience in childhood and her mental health struggles.

“She will have to live with this for the rest of her life. She brought it upon herself,” said Mr McInerney, who described Insp Flood, who the barrister knows from the courts, as a person of “tremendous character”.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said he did not wish to rush to judgement.

“This is a very, very serious case. I want to consider the profound victim impact statements and various reports,” said Judge O’Donnell, who adjourned sentencing to November 24.