Courts / Monaghan / Report

Man who caused the deaths of three people while drink-driving sent back to jail

Date
2014-03-11
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Carrickmacross
County
Monaghan

Summary

A man convicted of dangerous driving causing death has been returned to prison following a successful appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Court of Criminal Appeal. Kevin McArdle, aged 31, of Longfield, Carrickmacross, was originally sentenced to four years with one year suspended by Monaghan Circuit Court in October 2011. The appellate court found the sentence unduly lenient. McArdle was driving with almost three-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit on December 27th, 2010, when his BMW collided head-on with a vehicle driven by Stephen Connolly on the Carrickmacross to Ardee road. The collision resulted in the deaths of Mr Connolly's wife, their unborn child, and two passengers in McArdle's vehicle. The Court of Criminal Appeal substituted the original sentence with six years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. McArdle was also disqualified from driving for twelve years and ordered to serve a further one year in custody from the date of judgment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who caused the deaths of three people while drink-driving sent back to jail. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: Mr O'Higgins said the report indicated that some of McArdle's comments to the psychologist were a defence mechanism, because if he were to confront the reality of the situation he would be overwhelmed. Defence account reported by CNI

Places mentioned

Court Venue
Journey Or Route

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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