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Man jailed for dangerous driving causing death of mother-of-two
🇮🇪 Ireland /Conflict & Security

Man jailed for dangerous driving causing death of mother-of-two

From RTÉ News · (Apr 16) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Michael Goggins was jailed for nine months for dangerous driving causing the death of Junette Stronge.
  • Goggins' van veered onto the wrong side of the road, colliding with Stronge's car while her two young children were in the back seat.
  • Stronge's family expressed the profound impact of her sudden loss, while Goggins expressed remorse and accepted full responsibility.

A man has been sentenced to nine months in jail for a tragic incident that claimed the life of a mother-of-two in County Kildare. Michael Goggins admitted to dangerous driving causing death after his van veered into the path of Junette Stronge's car on January 2, 2024. Stronge was returning from her father's 90th birthday celebration, with her two young children, aged three and six months, in the back seat. Miraculously, the children escaped the collision unharmed.

She said no matter what she did, she 'could not bring this beloved woman back'.

— Judge Elva DuffyReflecting on the irreversible consequences of the dangerous driving incident.

Judge Elva Duffy acknowledged that there was no clear explanation for why Goggins' van crossed into the oncoming lane. Despite the lack of a definitive cause, the judge noted Goggins' apparent genuine remorse. She stated that no action could bring back the beloved woman whose life was cut short so violently. Goggins received a three-year sentence, with 27 months suspended, meaning he will serve nine months in custody. He has also been disqualified from driving for four years.

He had written a letter to the family in which he accepted 100% responsibility and expressed remorse for the consequences of his driving that day.

— Garda Jennifer FinneganDescribing the defendant's actions following the fatal collision.

Garda Jennifer Finnegan from Celbridge Garda Station confirmed that the driver could not provide a clear explanation for the incident. Goggins had written a letter to the victim's family, accepting full responsibility and expressing deep remorse for the consequences of his actions. The court heard that there was no evidence of speeding, mobile phone use, or vehicle defects that could have contributed to the crash.

Junette had been a gentle soul with a mischievous smile and a sharp wit.

— ThelmaSister of the victim, describing Junette Stronge's personality.

The devastating impact of Junette Stronge's death was poignantly described by her sister, Thelma, who noted that her sister was a "gentle soul with a mischievous smile and a sharp wit." Her partner, Steeve, shared the profound grief of losing his wife and the mother of his daughters, emphasizing that their lives changed in an instant. The eldest daughter will require therapeutic support following the traumatic event.

'I lost my partner and my daughters, their mother,'

— SteevePartner of the victim, expressing the profound loss.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTÉ News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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