A woman has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving which caused the death of a mother-of-two in Cork

A 46-year-old woman pleaded guilty to dangerous driving which caused the death of the 50-year-old mother-of-two, who worked as a special needs assistant at a Cork school.

Jennifer Thomas, of Oakfield View, Glenmire, Co Cork, appeared at Cork District Court earlier this year where she was charged with the offense for the first time.

The charge was that on February 11 last at L2973, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, Ms Thomas drove a motor vehicle which was dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of another person, namely Sheila Dunn.

Ms Thomas was sent to trial on the first day of sittings at Cork County Criminal Court. The other charges, including one count of drink driving and three counts of dangerous driving, will remain in the district court as they are treated as cumulative charges.

The summary charges consist of allegations that Ms Thomas was under the influence of intoxicants to the extent that she was unable to drive properly in Sarsfield Court, dangerous driving in Hazelwood Road, Sarsfield Court and Salibrook, driving without a license and the related charge of not providing it. All the charges relate to the same date – February 11.

Ms Thomas, who was wearing a cream trouser suit, was arraigned and pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death at Cork County Crown Court on Tuesday. No details were given in court about the alleged facts that led to the charges.

Defense lawyer Tom Creed, SC, asked for legal aid to be extended to allow a report from a GP and psychologists. He said there was a “special reason” why it was “important to get both reports”.

Mr Creed said it was a “very sad loss of life”. He also asked for a probation and welfare report on his client.

Prosecuting barrister Catherine McGillicuddy, BL, said the prosecution was keen to proceed with the case and that victim impact statements had already been prepared from relatives of the deceased.

Judge Helen Boyle extended free legal aid to prepare the required reports. She extended her heartfelt condolences to the Dunn family on their sad loss. A family member was in court for the brief hearing.

She adjourned the case until November 19 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Boyle said that an adjournment may well take place at this stage to facilitate the preparation of the necessary reports.

Meanwhile, the late Sheila Dunn was remembered at her funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Glontown as someone who was very proud of her two children, Lilly and TJ. Her late husband, well-known local DJ Ted Dunn, died three years ago.

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Ms Dunn died in a single-car collision at Sarsfield Court in Glenmire, Cork, in February. She worked as an SNA at Watergrasshill National School in Co Cork. She lived in Glenmire but was from Newcastle West in Co Limerick.

Dunn is survived by two children, parents, brothers, sisters and brothers-in-law, nephews and nieces and a large circle of friends.

She was fondly remembered at Watergrasshill National School, where she was described as a warm, generous and kind person.

The Rainbow Club charity also paid tribute to her, saying they would miss “her wonderful smile” and great hugs.