Courts / Galway / Report
Disqualified drunk driver jailed for dangerous driving causing death of pregnant woman
Summary
A man with over 70 previous road traffic convictions has been sentenced to five years' imprisonment for dangerous driving causing the death of a pregnant woman at Galway Circuit Criminal Court. Frank Barrett, aged 44, of Ballybane, Galway, was driving a car in which Irene Lynch was a passenger when it crashed into a wall and became submerged in water near Menlo in the early hours of March 2024. Ms Lynch, who was 17 weeks pregnant, died in hospital a week later from a hypoxic brain injury, as did her unborn daughter. Barrett was disqualified from driving at the time of the incident and had consumed significant quantities of alcohol and cocaine. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, drink driving and driving without insurance. Judge Brian O'Callaghan imposed a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to six years with the final 12 months suspended for three years, citing Barrett's early guilty plea and remorse as mitigating factors. Barrett was disqualified from driving for ten years and fined €1,500.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Disqualified drunk driver jailed for dangerous driving causing death of pregnant woman. Charges or matters: one count of dangerous driving causing death, drink driving and driving with no insurance on March 15, 2024, in Menlo, Galway. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 15, 2024 Incident
- 15 March Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-07-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of dangerous driving causing death, drink driving and driving with no insurance on March 15, 2024, in Menlo, Galway (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A disqualified driver with over 70 road traffic convictions has been jailed for five years for dangerous driving causing the death of a woman who was 17 weeks pregnant at the time. Judge O'Callaghan sentenced Barrett to six years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended for a period of three years.
Places mentioned
- Galway
- Galway Circuit Criminal Court
- Galway University Hospital
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence
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