Lana Dowling, a 20-year-old learner driver from Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill, received a two-year suspended sentence for dangerous driving that caused serious injuries to her then-girlfriend. The incident occurred on October 24, 2024, when Dowling was moving her car while her girlfriend was on the bonnet, leading to a fall and subsequent injury. The court heard that the victim sustained a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and spent six days in a coma following the accident. Eyewitnesses described the moment of impact, noting the car jolted and the driver appeared in shock after realizing the severity of the situation. In her victim impact statement, the injured party expressed that her life had been “turned upside down,” experiencing ongoing pain and psychological issues. Dowling, who has no prior convictions, showed remorse and accepted responsibility, visiting the hospital to support her girlfriend's recovery. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged the devastating consequences for the victim but deemed a prison sentence unjust, instead imposing a two-year suspended sentence and disqualifying Dowling from driving for five years.