A man convicted of dangerous driving causing the deaths of three people, including a father and daughter, has been jailed for five years at Trim Circuit Criminal Court.
Larry Boggan (32), Meadow View, Clonard, Co Meath, had pleaded not guilty but after a five-day trial, he was convicted by a jury last week and was sentenced by Judge Raymond Groarke yesterday morning.
The accident happened at Moyvalley on the main Galway to Dublin road in July 2001 after Boggan overtook another car and lost control, crashing into the car carrying Patrick and Mary McEvoy and their 16-year old-daughter, Laura, from Templeogue, Dublin. They were travelling home from the west.
Mr McEvoy (51) and Laura died as did Martin Darby (42), a neighbour of Boggan who was a passenger in his car. Another passenger suffered serious injuries.
The court heard that Boggan was travelling at up to 100 m.p.h. and the force of the impact sent his car into a 360-degree spin in the centre of the road at Moyvalley, Clonard. It collided with a car driven by Mr McEvoy.
Throughout the trial, Boggan said he had no memory of the accident and evidence was given that a blow he suffered to his head would account for amnesia.
The trial heard he had two bottles of beer and five shandies on the day. His solicitor, Mr Kevin Segrave, said his remorse was "abject, genuine and has existed from day one and will until the day he dies".
Judge Groarke said there were many victims in the case and he acknowledged Boggan never intended to kill the three people and would forever carry the memory of the day with him. He accepted he was remorseful and said it was extremely unlikely he would reoffend. He jailed him for five years.
Mr Martin Durkin, a brother- in-law of Mr McEvoy and uncle of Laura, said it had been "a sad day for everyone" but if in some way it acted as a deterrent and stopped people drinking and driving and speeding, "something positive will have come out of it". He thanked the witnesses as well as the gardaí and the emergency services.