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Driver who went on "pub crawl" before causing death appeals sentence
Summary
Brian McDonagh, aged 25, was convicted in Galway Circuit Criminal Court of dangerous driving causing the death of Thomas McDonagh, aged 19, in a single‑vehicle crash near Kylemore on 2 February 2014. He pleaded guilty and was also found guilty of driving without insurance. Judge Rory McCabe sentenced him to 10 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, and imposed a 20‑year driving disqualification. McDonagh's counsel, Vincent Heneghan, appealed, arguing the judge erred by imposing the maximum sentence and had not considered a psychiatrist's report indicating genuine remorse or McDonagh's background and alcohol abuse. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Sinead Gleeson, highlighted aggravating factors: McDonagh was on a pub crawl, two‑and‑a‑half times over the limit, disqualified, uninsured, driving an unroadworthy, overloaded vehicle, and was uncooperative at the scene. The appeal will be heard next Friday.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Driver who went on "pub crawl" before causing death appeals sentence. Charges or matters: dangerous driving causing the death of Thomas McDonagh (19) in a single-vehicle incident near Kylemore, Connemara on February 2, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 2, 2014 Incident
- July 7, 2015 Incident
- 2016-07-04 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: dangerous driving causing the death of Thomas McDonagh (19) in a single-vehicle incident near Kylemore, Connemara on February 2, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Rory McCabe sentenced McDonagh to 10 years imprisonment with the final two suspended on July 7, 2015 and disqualified him from driving for 20 years. Opening and appeal against sentence today McDonagh's barrister, Vincent Heneghan BL, said he accepted the circumstances of the case were "not good" but submitted that the sentencing judge erred in imposing the maximum 10 year sentence.
Places mentioned
- Galway
- Galway Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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