'Life is very sad and lonely 'now'

Driver who left pensioner with life-changing injuries avoids jail

- BY ISABEL HAYES and EIMEAR DODD

A JUDGE warned a car can be a “killing machine if not driven with due regard for all road users”.

Judge Pauline Codd was speaking as she handed a 17-month suspended sentence to a driver who broke a red light and hit an 81-year-old woman leaving her with life-changing injuries.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Frienna Rockett, 29, was not paying attention as she was trying to find her sister's home in December 2022.

Rockett, of Ballybrack, Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, admitted careless driving causing serious bodily harm. She has no previous convictions.