Sentencing in case of man charged with dangerous driving causing death of Navan girl adjourned until February

A 26-year-old man, Aaron O’Connell of Beaufort Place, Navan, appeared in Trim Circuit Court on Wednesday, November 4, on a charge of dangerous driving which resulted in the death of a 16-year-old girl in Navan in February last. He appeared before Judge John Martin.

The incident occurred at Blackcastle Demesne, Slane Road, Navan on February 21, 2026, and resulted in the death of Mia Lily Keogh O’Keeffe.

O’Connell entered pleas of guilty on three charges in Trim District Court on Tuesday, November 3, which also included failure to remain at the scene and failure to offer assistance. He then affirmed these guilty pleas in Trim Circuit Court on Wednesday, November 4.

O’Connell’s legal representative, speaking on his behalf, said that his client felt remorse for the death of the victim. He also mentioned the remorse he had for the grief of the deceased’s family members and her friends. He also asked if legal aid could be extended for a psychiatric report, to which the judge granted sanction.

The family of the deceased hoped that the case would be finalised before the one-year anniversary of the death of the victim, the court heard. The judge adjourned the case until February 9, 2027, and said he hoped then he could set a date prior to February 21, 2027.

O’Connell was remanded on continual bail until the February 9 next date.

He did inform the family that delays in receiving the psychiatric report could result in delays in sentencing, and that the ‘court's hands would be tied’, but would ask it to be expedited.

Judge Martin said the psychiatric report was necessary for the sentencing to get all factors of the case. He also outlined that considerations would be made in relation to the victim impact statement and the probation of welfare report, before expressing his sympathies to the family of Ms. Keogh O’Keeffe.