Clare motorist to plead guilty over death of 'inspirational' school teacher in road crash

A WEST Clare woman is to plead guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of ‘inspirational’ Limerick school teacher, Michael Lorigan, a court has been told.

At Ennis District Court, the Book of Evidence was served in the case of Saoirse Lillis McMahon, aged 32, of Moveen East, Kilkee who is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of the 70-year-old cyclist on August 16, 2023.

The fatal road traffic incident occurred on the N67 at Baunmore, Kilkee at around 12.30pm on the day.

Addressing solicitor John Casey, Judge Alec Gabbett commented: “My understanding is that there is a guilty plea to the charge and it has the same effect as going forward to the circuit court on a signed plea.”

Mr Casey agreed, having previously told the court that Ms Lillis McMahon could not go forward on a signed guilty plea because of a technical issue and that a Book of Evidence had to be compiled for the case.

Relatives of the late Mr Lorigan were in court, this Wednesday, for the brief hearing and Judge Gabbett told Ms Lillis McMahon that he was required to give her the alibi warning “though I don’t believe that it applies in this case”.

READ NEXT: Family of pregnant Clare woman who died in Limerick hospital are 'haunted'

Judge Gabbett said that he would return Ms Lillis McMahon for trial to the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Court.

Mr Casey asked that the legal certificate be extended to cover one senior counsel and one junior counsel in the circuit court “due to the seriousness of the charge”.

Judge Gabbett replied “I agree” and he acceded to the application. 

Mr Casey said that it is unlikely that the case will be dealt with in the current sittings of Ennis Circuit Court.

Ms Lillis McMahon is also charged with driving her 02-CE registered vehicle at the same location on the same date while being under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle. 

She is also accused of driving a defective vehicle which was a danger to the public at the same location on the same date contrary to section 54(1) & (4) Road Traffic Act.

Mr Casey said there is only one charge in the Book of Evidence and that the other summons can track the circuit court case in the district court. All of the summons matters were adjourned to a date in April 2026.

Originally from Benvoran, Kilmurry McMahon, County Clare and living in Kilkishen in east Clare 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.