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14/01/2008
Death Driver Pleads Guilty In Tragic Body Mix-Up Case
The man who killed four teenagers in a road accident – two of whose bodies were later mixed up and buried by the wrong families - has admitted causing their deaths by dangerous driving.
Peter Leonard, Anita Swift, Jonathan McDonald and Danica O'Rourke were in a car driven by Daniel McDonnell that crashed at Lisnaskea, in July 2006.
At Dungannon Crown Court, McDonnell of Galloon Gardens, Newtownbutler, made a last minute change of plea and admitted guilt in a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
McDonnell pleaded just minutes before his trial was due to begin on Monday.
Adjourning the case for sentencing on 21 February, trial Judge McFarland warned McDonnell that he would be going to prison.
At the time, the tragedy was compounded when the Swift family were given the wrong girl's body for burial.
The body of one of the teenage girls was then exhumed after it emerged the wrong person had been buried.
A body, believed to be Anita Swift, 16, had been buried. However, tests indicated the body was that of Danica O'Rourke, 17.
The two men who also died were both aged 21.
At the time, the coroner admitted there had been "initial misidentification".
(BMcC)
Peter Leonard, Anita Swift, Jonathan McDonald and Danica O'Rourke were in a car driven by Daniel McDonnell that crashed at Lisnaskea, in July 2006.
At Dungannon Crown Court, McDonnell of Galloon Gardens, Newtownbutler, made a last minute change of plea and admitted guilt in a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
McDonnell pleaded just minutes before his trial was due to begin on Monday.
Adjourning the case for sentencing on 21 February, trial Judge McFarland warned McDonnell that he would be going to prison.
At the time, the tragedy was compounded when the Swift family were given the wrong girl's body for burial.
The body of one of the teenage girls was then exhumed after it emerged the wrong person had been buried.
A body, believed to be Anita Swift, 16, had been buried. However, tests indicated the body was that of Danica O'Rourke, 17.
The two men who also died were both aged 21.
At the time, the coroner admitted there had been "initial misidentification".
(BMcC)
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