Courts / Galway / Report
DPP to appeal 240 hours community service given to drunk driver over fatal collision
Summary
In a case heard at the Galway Circuit Criminal Court, Adrian Nestor, aged 44, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Liam McDonnell, aged 66, and to serious injury to Garda Sharon Casserly, as well as drink driving. The fatal collision occurred near Ardrahan, Galway, on the early hours of 1 February 2016, when Nestor's Audi struck a group of three people, including McDonnell, who had been reported missing from a nursing home. Nestor's blood alcohol level was 272 mg at the time of the incident. Judge Rory McCabe sentenced him to 240 hours of community service instead of a four‑year prison term, fined him €1,000, and imposed a four‑year driving ban. The Director of Public Prosecutions has applied to appeal the sentence, arguing it was "unduly lenient," and the Court of Appeal has set a hearing for 23 July.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: DPP to appeal 240 hours community service given to drunk driver over fatal collision. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Liam McDonnell (66) arising out of a collision which occurred near Ardrahan, in Galway, in the early hours of February 1, 2016; dangerous driving causing serious injury to Garda Sharon Casserly and drink driving. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 1, 2016 Incident
- July 23 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-05-14 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of Liam McDonnell (66) arising out of a collision which occurred near Ardrahan, in Galway, in the early hours of February 1, 2016; dangerous driving causing serious injury to Garda Sharon Casserly and drink driving (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Sentencing him to 240 hours of community service in lieu of a four-year prison sentence, Judge Rory McCabe said the interests of justice would not be served by immediately sending Nestor to prison. The Director of Public Prosecutions are seeking a review of Nestor's sentence on grounds that it was "unduly lenient".
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