Damien Klasinski jailed for dangerous driving causing death

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Damien Klasinski was sentenced to five and a half years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 May 2017 for dangerous driving causing the death of Kildare councillor Willie Crowley.

Judge Melanie Greally backdated the sentence to 15 July 2016 to give Klasinski credit for time spent on remand. He was disqualified from driving for 10 years and bound to the peace for the 18-month suspended portion of his sentence.

Klasinski pleaded guilty to the charge.

Judge Greally said Klasinski had been driving too fast for the conditions and did not stop after the impact. She described his explanation that he had panicked as credible. She also noted his profound remorse and previous road traffic convictions.