Student crashed in Laois on way home from Galway Races

A student had a ‘momentary lapse’ of concentration and crashed her car into a concrete bollard in Borris-in-Ossory. 

Aisling Dwan (20) of Ballyreddin Stud, Bennetsbridge, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to careless driving at Main Street, Borris-in-Ossory on August 2, 2025. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that Gardaí responded to a road traffic collision at Main Street, Borris-in-Ossory at 3pm on the date in question. He said a 141KK registered VW Golf had hit a concrete bollard. He said the defendant appears to have lost control “hit the bollard and caused significant damage”. 

Sgt Kirby said there were three other people in the car at the time of the collision. He said the woman had no previous convictions and nobody was hurt in the crash. 

A solicitor for the accused said his client was an ag science student in Dublin. She had been returning from the Galway Races and had a “momentary lapse” of concentration, he said. He told Judge Susan Fay that full compensation had been made and that his client had since completed a driver safety course. He asked the judge not to disqualify her from driving. 

Noting that the woman had no previous, had completed a course and that compensation had been paid, Judge Fay fined the woman €150 but didn’t impose a disqualification.