William McDermott from Adare in Limerick was cleared of dangerous driving but was found guilty of careless driving causing the death of 69 year old Michael Doran from Templemore on the evening of St Stephen's Day 2011.
Carol O'Brien, one of widower Michael Doran's 13 children who, in a remarkable gesture of forgiveness, embraced 72 year old William McDermott in a hug as he left the court having been convicted of careless driving causing the death of her father.
The jury had heard that Michael Doran was a patient in the Mid Western Regional Hospital – that he was on his way back from getting an ice-cream from a nearby takeaway and was using a wheelchair for support.
As he crossed back over St Nessan's Road he was struck by William McDermott's car and suffered fatal injuries.
The jury took less than two hours to find William McDermott not guilty of dangerous driving causing death but guilty of careless driving causing death.
Sentencing has been adjourned to next Wednesday.
