Courts / Louth / Report
14-year term and life-long ban imposed on repeat offender who caused death of passenger (20) is upheld
Summary
The Court of Appeal has upheld the 14-year jail term and lifetime driving ban imposed on Michael Collins (50), of St Finian's Park, Drogheda, Co Louth, who was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of Jillian Thornton on May 27, 2016, at Waterside Great, Duleek, Co Meath. The conviction followed a trial lasting almost two weeks at Trim Circuit Court in July 2019. Collins was also convicted on two charges of endangerment, 12 charges of dangerous driving, and of driving under the influence of cannabis on the same date. At the Court of Appeal on October 11 this year, defence counsel Michael Lynn argued that the overall sentence of 15 years with one year suspended was 'clearly disproportionate' and that the 14-year term was 'almost double' that imposed in other more severe cases, contrary to the totality principle of sentencing. He also challenged the imposition of a three-year sentence for one endangerment charge and a five-year sentence for the other, while making the 10-year sentence consecutive to the longer sentence of five years. Additionally, he argued that the judge had made an error in imposing a life-long driving disqualification on Collins. The appeal was dismissed, with the court finding that no double counting or error in principle had taken place in the sentencing. The court also dismissed Collins' appeal against his driving ban, stating that he still posed a risk to members of the public and should not be allowed to return to the road. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 14-year term and life-long ban imposed on repeat offender who caused death of passenger (20) is upheld. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Jillian Thornton on May 27, 2016 at Waterside Great, Duleek, Co Meath following a trial lasting almost two weeks at Trim Circuit Court in July 2019. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- May 27, 2016 Incident
- July 2019 Incident
- October 11 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-11-05 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of Jillian Thornton on May 27, 2016 at Waterside Great, Duleek, Co Meath following a trial lasting almost two weeks at Trim Circuit Court in July 2019 (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; At the Court of Appeal on October 11 this year, defence counsel Michael Lynn said the overall sentence of 15 years with one year suspended imposed on Collins was "clearly disproportionate". He argued the 14 years handed down was "almost double" that imposed in other more severe cases and said it was contrary to the totality principle of sentencing. "We're saying the end result was manifestly excessive," he told the court, adding there were many aggravating factors that weren't present in the case, as Collins did not leave the scene and was not disqualified at the time.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Trim
- Trim Circuit Court
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Appeal
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