BREAKING: 'Their dad won't be there when I die' - suspended jail term for fatal accident lorry driver

The driver of a lorry tractor unit who collided with a cyclist causing his death was given a suspended prison sentence of 18 months at Naas Circuit Court today.

Douglas Ryder, 28, whose address was given as The Haven, Gilltown, Donadea, had admitted careless driving causing death at Firmount East on August 20, 2022.

The sentence was suspended for a two year period.

He was also disqualified from driving for four years by Judge Martina Baxter and ordered to pay €2,500 to the National Rehabilitation Hospital and a further €2,500 to the Irish Cancer Society.

The accident resulted in the death of Naas resident Michael Fleming, who lived in the town for more than 30 years.

The court heard that Mr Fleming, aged 63, set out for a cycle early that day from his home and the accident occurred soon after 8am.

The defendant was driving a lorry tractor unit and was going in the same direction as the cyclist, near Clane.

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Mr Fleming, the court heard, was struck from behind  and the accident took place between Firmount Cross and Millicent Cross. The driver had been blinded by sunlight.

Detective Garda Christine Brady said the defendant is a truck driver and the accident occurred at 8.13 when the truck collided with the rear wheel of Mr Fleming’s racing bike.

Det Gda Brady told prosecuting barrister Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing that Mr Fleming was knocked into a ditch. Weather conditions were bright and dry.

The defendant stopped as did some other people and two gardaí, Niall O’Toole and Kevin O’Sullivan, rendered first aid before paramedics and a doctor, who was working voluntarily, arrived at the scene. Mr Fleming was pronounced dead at 8.57.

The court heard that both the Volvo vehicle and the bicycle were in good condition. The vehicle was not dangerous or defective.

Mr Fleming died from multiple traumatic injuries and the road had an 80 km/h speed limit.

At a previous hearing Ms Fleming said: “So many friends had lovely stories and memories of Mick but the grief and sadness remain.” She did not want the defendant to go to prison.

She described her husband as a lover of football, though this did not transfer to the children and he was a reader with a thirst for knowledge.

Ms Fleming was diagnosed with incurable blood cancer in 2016 and “he was always at my side.” He is missed by all his friends.

She added: “I need him when consultants tell me treatments are no longer working” and he won’t be there for the ordinary days and milestones of the lives of the children.

“Their dad won’t be there when I die.”

Judge Baxter praised the dignified and compassionate approach taken by the Fleming family by the family, especially towards the defendant. She said the deceased was “not at fault in any fashion.”

She noted the defendant was driving a heavy duty vehicle and he did not shy away from his responsibility and was very distressed and upset at the scene of the accident.

It was clear Mr Fleming was pushed from behind and given the vehicle type “it was a very heavy push”.

She also noted that the defendant was driving in excess of the speed limit for a period and rest periods were not taken.

She noted the defendant was not using his phone at the time and was in shock, trying to assist at the scene.

The judge also noted that he did not seek to put the family through the trauma of a hearing and had written a letter of apology.