Fomer garda remanded in custody over fatal hit-and-run in Louth

Garda Michael Ball arriving at Dundalk Circuit Court. Pic Credit: PA

placeholder image — Garda Michael Ball arriving at Dundalk Circuit Court. Pic Credit: PA

A garda who fatally struck a man with his car and failed to remain at the scene has been remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing.

Michael Ball, whose address was listed at Drogheda Garda Station for the purpose of the charge, has pleaded guilty to two offences relating to a hit-and-run in Drogheda town in the early hours of St Patrick’s Day in 2024.

Niall McEneaney, 45, was catastrophically injured and died as a result of being hit by Ball’s car on Rathmullen Road at approximately 2am on March 17 2024.

At a sentencing hearing at Dundalk Courthouse on Tuesday, Judge Dara Hayes remanded Ball in custody until June 15 when he expects to finalise the sentence pending the completion of a victim impact statement.

Outlining that decision, the judge said the matter involved serious offending and a custodial sentence seemed inevitable.

Ball, 28, was suspended from duty following the incident and later resigned from An Garda Siochana.