Motorist escapes prison after knocking down girl

Motorist escapes prison after knocking down girl

11 February 2015

A CASTLEWELLAN motorist has received a suspended prison sentence for seriously injuring a young pedestrian last year.

Twenty one year-old Michael McCartan knocked down 10 year-old Caitlin McKibbin on the Ballylough Road, in Annsborough, on June 16 leaving her with a fractured skull.

The accident led to a campaign from local residents for better road safety in the area, primarily because of the speed of passing motorists.

Caitlin had been crossing the road when she was struck by McCartan’s car, and she also suffered breaks to a finger and her nose.

At Downpatrick Court on Thursday McCartan, of Clarkill Road, admitted causing grievous bodily injury to the girl by driving without due care and attention.

A prosecution lawyer told the court the speed limit in the area is 30mph, but McCartan told police he was driving at least 10mph over the speed limit.

“This is an excess speed matter,” a defence solicitor said. “It is a long straight road … where many of the local people drive at speed and perhaps they shouldn’t.”

He said his client works full-time and “expresses a high level of remorse and high victim empathy.”

District Judge, Mr. Peter King, said the court views such offences “extremely dimly.”

McCartan was sentenced to a three month suspended prison sentence and disqualified from driving for 18 months.