Carlow driver jailed for fatal crash in unroadworthy car - Courts News Ireland

A Carlow man who was speeding in a “dangerous and defective” unroadworthy car when he collided with a second vehicle, causing the death of his uncle, has been jailed. The Ford Puma that Patrick Connors (45) was driving that evening in 2014 at Ballybannon, Carlow, had failed its NCT, had no working handbrake, rusted brakes and the underneath of

A Carlow man who was speeding in a “dangerous and defective” unroadworthy car when he collided with a second vehicle, causing the death of his uncle, has been jailed.

The Ford Puma that Patrick Connors (45) was driving that evening in 2014 at Ballybannon, Carlow, had failed its NCT, had no working handbrake, rusted brakes and the underneath of the chassis was considered “extensively rusty”. The rear seat belts were also not working.

Garda Derek O’Brien of Carlow Garda Station told the court that the car was considered a “dangerous and defective vehicle” and should not have been on the road.

Emergency services who arrived at the scene of the collision, found that Patrick Doran (42) was unresponsive and he was pronounced dead at the scene. It was later determined that he had died of shock due to multiple injuries, including a fractured vertebrae and a lacerated liver.

Another man, who was found in the boot of Connors’ car, was in and out of consciousness. The other passengers in the car, including Connors, were all taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Passengers in the vehicle which the Ford Puma collided with were also taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries. The driver of this vehicle had managed to brake and swerve to reduce the impact of the collision.

Gda O’Brien said Connors lost control of the vehicle as he was coming around a bend in the road. It was estimated that he had been travelling at 111 km/hr in an 80km/hr zone and there was a continuous white line on that section of the road up to and including the point of impact.

The car skidded while travelling along a sweeping bend along a road running from Milford across the R448 in Ballybannon. It was 5.15pm in the afternoon and road conditions were considered good.

The court heard that Connors’ car went into a skid and rotated anti-clockwise ultimately ending up on the wrong side of the road, with one eye-witness telling gardaí that the vehicle came “sideways around the corner at speed”.

It was concluded that Connors was effectively driving faster than his capability to control the vehicle.

Connors discharged himself from hospital after he had been airlifted there following the collision. He fled to the UK and was brought back on foot of a European Arrest Warrant last September.

Connors previously of Ivy Cottage, Fruithill, Graiguecullen pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Patrick Doran at Ballybannon, Carlow on August 9, 2014. He was jailed for three years and nine months.

Sentencing Connors today/yesterday (Thursday) Judge Mary Morrissey expressed her condolences to the Doran family and acknowledged that he was a huge person in the family – who is deeply missed.

She noted from a victim impact statement, previously read out by Mr Doran’s sister at a sentence hearing last March, that the man was “a character” and his “mother’s pet”.

The woman said her brother could get away with almost anything in the household and his death was the “end of their family’s world” and caused extraordinary heartbreak that they continue to struggle to deal with.

Judge Morrissey said Mr Doran’s death had a “catastrophic impact” on the family, which is felt most poignantly around his birthday and at Christmas as he was the centre of any party or festivities.

She acknowledged that Mr Doran’s family bear Connors no “ill-will” as he is also a member of their extended family and they have “come to a place of acceptance and forgiveness” Judge Morrissey said.

She said the Doran family emphasised that Connors had a difficult upbringing following his mother’s death when he was 14-years-old and that three of his sons have died due to a genetic liver condition which all four of his children were born with.

“They have shown extraordinary benevolence and compassion towards him,” Judge Morrissey said adding that it was “beyond doubt” that Mr Doran’s death has created “a huge chasm in their family’s life that impacts them on a daily, weekly and annual basis”.

Judge Morrissey also acknowledged that she had received 12 letters from the Doran family, reading each of their names aloud in court. She said they all pleaded for clemency in the sentencing of Connors.

“It is hard not to be moved by the Doran family’s compassion and understanding,” the judge said.

She added that they have indicated that they are willing to have “open arms waiting for him (Connors) to come back” and they intend to help him as best as they can.

Judge Morrissey noted the following aggravating features in the case.

Connors was driving a dangerous and defective vehicle with excessive speed and showed a lack of regard for the safety of Mr Doran and the rules of the road.

She said he was knowingly allowing a person to be carried in the boot of the car and showed disregard for this man’s safety also.

Judge Morrisey also noted Connors previous convictions including offences for dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and drink driving. She took into account the fact that he fled the jurisdiction in the aftermath of the collision and that a significant number of people had to be hospitalised.

Judge Morrissey set a headline sentence of 6 years and 8 months.

In mitigation she acknowledged that Connors’ plea of guilty saved the victims having to come to court to give evidence, his own difficult upbringing following the death of his mother and the fact that he had suffered the loss of three children.

She noted that Connors had indicated previously that he fled Ireland “in the hope that everything would go away” but he got involved in a criminal gang there.

She said Connors had written a letter to the court indicating his profound remorse for his actions and taking full responsibility. He described Mr Doran as a “lovely, soft, kind-hearted man” who he loved and said he would “carry the shame for the rest of his life”.

Judge Morrissey said that Connors had shown insight into his offending and now has family support.

She imposed a sentence of four years and nine months. The final 12 months of that sentence was suspended on strict conditions, including that Connors engage with the Probation Service and mental health services. She disqualified him from driving for 10 years.

As Mr Doran’s family were leaving court, they thanked the judge and Judge Morrissey conveyed her sympathies to them and wished them luck.