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31/03/2009
Death Driver Jailed
A previously banned car driver has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving.
Thomas O'Brien, 30, of Muckross Road, Kesh, was drinking in a Co Fermanagh pub on Christmas Eve 2005.
His Honour Judge McFarland, sitting in Dungannon Crown Court, sentenced O'Brien to nine years' imprisonment followed by one year on probation for causing the death of one person and serious injury of two others by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 20 years.
O'Brien had been drinking in a pub in Ederney where staff and customers suggest he had at least 10 drinks of cider and vodka, followed by some shots.
One member of staff described him as "really drunk... he was staggering" before he left the pub with five others and proceeded to drive to one of their houses, continuing to drink on the way.
One of the passengers described how he was "going at a wild speed" with the music up very loud.
He lost control of the car on a bend and the car fell down into a wooded area and ended up on its roof.
Paul Flanagan, aged 36, was trapped in the overturned car and died of suffocation. Sinead Corry, suffered fractures to her knee and arm and multiple abrasions. Patricia Mulligan suffered a deep laceration to her scalp and severe ligament and tendon damage to her hand and wrist. The other passengers suffered less serious injuries.
Dungannon Crown Court heard that O'Brien drove away from the accident in another car before the emergency services had arrived. He fled the country until December 2008.
The court also heard that O'Brien had been convicted of driving whilst disqualified less than two months prior to the accident in 2005.
During his disqualification and suspended sentence period O'Brien bought the car he was driving on Christmas Eve when he caused the accident.
Judge David McFarland said he took into account the fact that Thomas O'Brien had pleaded guilty after nearly three years.
He said this had brought some comfort to the family and witnesses who did not have to endure a lengthy trial or give evidence in court.
(BMcC/JM)
Thomas O'Brien, 30, of Muckross Road, Kesh, was drinking in a Co Fermanagh pub on Christmas Eve 2005.
His Honour Judge McFarland, sitting in Dungannon Crown Court, sentenced O'Brien to nine years' imprisonment followed by one year on probation for causing the death of one person and serious injury of two others by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 20 years.
O'Brien had been drinking in a pub in Ederney where staff and customers suggest he had at least 10 drinks of cider and vodka, followed by some shots.
One member of staff described him as "really drunk... he was staggering" before he left the pub with five others and proceeded to drive to one of their houses, continuing to drink on the way.
One of the passengers described how he was "going at a wild speed" with the music up very loud.
He lost control of the car on a bend and the car fell down into a wooded area and ended up on its roof.
Paul Flanagan, aged 36, was trapped in the overturned car and died of suffocation. Sinead Corry, suffered fractures to her knee and arm and multiple abrasions. Patricia Mulligan suffered a deep laceration to her scalp and severe ligament and tendon damage to her hand and wrist. The other passengers suffered less serious injuries.
Dungannon Crown Court heard that O'Brien drove away from the accident in another car before the emergency services had arrived. He fled the country until December 2008.
The court also heard that O'Brien had been convicted of driving whilst disqualified less than two months prior to the accident in 2005.
During his disqualification and suspended sentence period O'Brien bought the car he was driving on Christmas Eve when he caused the accident.
Judge David McFarland said he took into account the fact that Thomas O'Brien had pleaded guilty after nearly three years.
He said this had brought some comfort to the family and witnesses who did not have to endure a lengthy trial or give evidence in court.
(BMcC/JM)
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