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Drunk driver who got suspended sentence for dangerous driving causing death jailed for three years by appeal court
Summary
A civil engineer from Kingscourt, County Cavan, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Court of Criminal Appeal for dangerous driving causing death. Ronan Cunningham, aged 30, had pleaded guilty to causing the death of Emanuel Mendez on the N7 Naas dual carriageway in October 2010 whilst driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. The original five-year suspended sentence imposed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in 2012 was deemed unduly lenient and was overturned on appeal. Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman, presiding, described Cunningham's driving—travelling seven kilometres in the wrong direction after consuming approximately eight pints—as "hideous". The court also imposed a 15-year driving ban. Cunningham was afforded one week to arrange his personal affairs before commencing his sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Drunk driver who got suspended sentence for dangerous driving causing death jailed for three years by appeal court. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Mendez (aged 23) on October 10, 2010, at Rathcoole, on the N7 Naas dual carriageway; driving while under the influence of alcohol on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 2010 Incident
- October 10, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-05-01 Publication
Why: Melanie Greally Bl for the DPP said the sentence was appealed because Mr Cunningham's driving on the night was "so extreme". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Mendez (aged 23) on October 10, 2010, at Rathcoole, on the N7 Naas dual carriageway; driving while under the influence of alcohol on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The sentence replaces the five year suspended sentence Cunningham received, which the CCA last year overturned for being too lenient. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a five year prison sentence, which was suspended, and banned him from driving for five years.
Places mentioned
Topics
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