Man charged over death of mother-of-three in Raphoe pleads guilty

A man has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of a pedestrian in Raphoe.

Patrick Quigley appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Quigley, with an address of Windmill View, Letterkenny, is charged in connection with the death of Teresa Hepburn at Guesthouse End Street in the village of Raphoe on March 2nd, 2022.

He is charged that he did drive a vehicle without due care and attention thereby causing the death of another person, namely Theresa Hepburn.

The charge is Contrary to Section 52 (1) and 52 (2) of the Road Traffic Act , 1961 (as substituted by Section 4 of the Road Traffic (No.2) Act 2011).

The 52-year-old accused spoke to plead guilty when arraigned in court.

Ms Hepburn, a mother-of-three, of Castle Grove, Raphoe and formerly Mountain Top Letterkenny, died from her injuries a week after the collision.

Quigley's barrister, Mr Colm Smyth SC, told the court that his client has been seriously affected by the incident.

He added that Quigley has no previous convictions.

Mr Quigley asked for a psychiatric report and a probation report on behalf of his client.

Judge John Aylmer consented and adjourned the case for final sentencing to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court in February, 2025.