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Drunk driver who was four times over limit when his driving killed one young woman and paralysed another appeals sentence
Summary
Sean Casey, 27, of Cooragannive, Skibbereen, was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of Megan Johnston, 22, and serious bodily harm to Kate Petford, 24, who was left paralysed after a crash at Skibbereen on 8 April 2013. He was sentenced by Cork Circuit Criminal Court to seven years imprisonment and a 30‑year driving disqualification on 17 February 2014. Casey, who drove a silver BMW that was 4.1 times over the legal alcohol limit, is appealing the sentence. His counsel, Tom Creed SC, argues the judge ignored rehabilitation possibilities and was unduly influenced by a victim impact report. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Lorcan Staines BL, emphasised the high speed (80 km/h) and excessive alcohol consumption, noting five people were in the vehicle. The appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeal on 9 July 2024.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Drunk driver who was four times over limit when his driving killed one young woman and paralysed another appeals sentence. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Megan Johnston (22) and causing serious bodily harm to Kate Petford (24) who was left paralysed following the crash at Skibbereen on April 8 2013. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 8 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 17 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 9 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-06-23 Publication
Why: The car keys came back to him because of a friend's representations to the barmaid who had taken them. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of Megan Johnston (22) and causing serious bodily harm to Kate Petford (24) who was left paralysed following the crash at Skibbereen on April 8 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to seven years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 30 years by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on February 17 2014. Moving to appeal his sentence today, counsel for Casey, Tom Creed SC, said his client always knew, "almost out of a sense of atonement", that he was going to get a custodial sentence.
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