A court in Ireland has postponed until February 2027 the sentencing of a Nigerian man who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of a 66 year old father of three in a road crash in County Carlow.
Abayomi Okanlawon, 36, appeared before Judge Patrick Quinn at Wicklow Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 6, without legal representation because of an ongoing dispute between criminal defence solicitors and Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan.
The judge adjourned the case until February 9, 2027, when several matters affected by the dispute are expected to be heard as the courts attempt to clear the growing backlog.
It is the second time Okanlawon’s sentencing has been postponed because of the dispute, prolonging the wait for the family of the deceased, Tommy Cuddihy, to see the case concluded.
Cuddihy, a Kilkenny resident and father of three, died on October 24, 2025, when his Seat Altea collided head on with a BMW driven by Okanlawon on Rath East Road near Tullow, County Carlow.
His wife, Kay, who was travelling with him, sustained injuries described in court as non life threatening. Okanlawon was also knocked unconscious and taken to hospital.
According to evidence previously presented in court, a forward facing dashcam in Cuddihy’s vehicle captured the incident and showed the BMW crossing a continuous white line. Okanlawon reportedly told GardaÃ, Ireland’s national police force, that he had seen the flash of headlights shortly before the collision.
Four independent witnesses, including motorists travelling behind both vehicles, also provided statements to investigators.
Okanlawon, who entered Ireland in 2024 and resides in accommodation provided through the International Protection Accommodation Service, has no previous convictions, according to earlier court reports.
The sentencing delay stems from a wider dispute over criminal legal aid payments. Since July 1, 2026, the government has operated a flat fee system of €520 for criminal legal aid cases in the District Court, replacing payments linked to individual court appearances.
Solicitors argue that the arrangement fails to account adequately for cases requiring numerous hearings. The government maintains that the reform is intended to improve efficiency and address delays.
The dispute has disrupted court proceedings and contributed to thousands of adjournments, according to Irish media reports.
