*Saoirse Lillis McMahon.
A 33-year old Kilkee woman has pleaded guilty to four more charges arising from the road death of former school teacher, Michael Lorigan (70).
At Ennis Circuit Court on Tuesday, Ms Saoirse Lillis McMahon of Moveen East, Kilkee pleaded guilty to four more road traffic offences, including drink driving and driving under the influence of an intoxicant, in connection with the road death of cyclist, Michael Lorigan on August 16th 2023 on the N67 at Baunmore, Kilkee.
In December, Ms Lillis McMahon had pleaded guilty to the dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Lorigan at the same location on the same date. The fatal road traffic incident occurred at around 12.30pm on the day.
Ms Lillis McMahon has now pleaded guilty to drink driving at the same location on the same date where there she had a concentration of 93 mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine.
Ms Lillis McMahon has also pleaded guilty to being under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of her vehicle at the same location on the same date.
Ms Lillis McMahon has also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and driving a defective vehicle at the same location on the same date.
Judge Francis Comerford said on Tuesday that the case concerned “a very grave matter”.
Ms Lillis McMahon is not driving currently as the court heard that she was late to court as she mixed up her dates for a lift to court.
Counsel for Ms Lillis McMahaon, Rebecca Treacy BL (instructed by solicitor, John Casey) applied for a Probation Report for the sentencing hearing.
Judge Comerford has previously ordered a psychological report on Ms Lillis McMahon.
Ms Treacy said that the Probation Report would be of assistance to the background of the matter as there are a multitude of counts.
Ms Treacy said that Ms Lillis McMahon’s only previous convictions concern driving offences.
However, Judge Comerford said that the offences before the court “show very serious criminal intent in respect to driving offence”.
Judge Comerford refused the application for a Probation Report stating that the psychological report would cover much the same ground.
Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL said that members of Mr Lorigan’s family were in court “and I do know that the family would like the matter dealt with”.
Ms Comerford (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that she has explained to the family that the sentencing would most likely be after Easter sessions.
Judge Comerford said that he would assign the sentencing hearing priority.
Judge Comerford further remanded Ms Lillis McMahon on bail to March 5th to fix a date for sentencing.
Originally from Benvoran, Kilmurry McMahon, Co Clare and living in Kilkishen at the time of his death, Mr Lorigan taught for a number of decades at the Model School in Limerick city.
Mr Lorigan taught there from the mid-1970s until his retirement and was remembered as an inspirational, kind, patient, dedicated and wonderful teacher in the many tributes from former students at the time of his death in August 2023.
In later years, Mr Lorigan became a keen cyclist, and took part in the Clare 250 mile cycle many times.
