A motorist who skipped bail on a dangerous driving charge and whose whereabouts was discovered when he appeared on a British television game show was sentenced to 3½ years in prison yesterday.
Michael Furlong, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Natalie Freeman (15), at Kilcarrig, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, on March 15th, 2002. He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance on the same date.
Sgt Benny Mills told Judge Michael O'Shea that a Garda crew from Enniscorthy saw Furlong at a filling station in Bunclody at 12.50 a.m. He was known to the gardaí and they decided to stop him, but he drove off over the mountains. Sgt Mills said Furlong drove at speed through several junctions and emerged on the Fenagh/Bagenalstown Road.
As he approached Bagenalstown, he overtook two articulated lorries on a continuous double white line, failed to negotiate a severe right-hand bend and struck the wall of a bridge.
His car ended up on its side while he and the two rear-seat passengers sustained minor injuries. Natalie Freeman, the front-seat passenger, was fatally injured and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Charged with dangerous driving causing death, Furlong did not appear at Bagenalstown District Court on December 9th, 2002.
Sgt Mills then told of Furlong's whereabouts becoming known following his appearance on a Channel 4 game show in Britain. Extradition papers were prepared and Sgt Mills took Furlong into custody and returned him to Ireland where he was later charged.
Sgt Mills said Furlong had a large number of previous convictions, dating back to 1992. He also told the court that Natalie's death had a devastating effect on her family. "The wound" was re-opened by Furlong by the manner in which he appeared to "flaunt" himself on television.
Mr John O'Kelly SC told the court his client had a troubled background but had been trying to put his life back in order. Unfortunately events on March 15th appeared to take on a life of their own, which sadly ended in the tragic death of Natalie Freeman.
He said his client had a few drinks and when approached by the gardaí, he knew he was in the wrong by not having insurance and drinking. He panicked and drove away.
Mr O'Kelly said his client accepted he was driving too fast but as he overtook the two articulated lorries, signs warning him that he was approaching one of the most dangerous bridges in the country were hidden from his view
Furlong told the court he wished to apologise to the Freeman family for "for their troubles. That is genuine. I am genuinely sorry, she was a very good friend of mine."
The judge said he was satisfied the apology was genuine. He sentenced Furlong to 3½ years, suspending the last year, effective from May 9th.
He imposed three months for driving without insurance, endorsed the conviction on his licence and suspended him from driving for 15 years.
Leave to appeal was refused.