A labourer whose car went out of control and killed a student as she walked along a footpath on Quincentennial Bridge, Galway, last January, was jailed for four months at Galway District Court yesterday.
Richard Feeney (19), from Coole Park, Bohermore, Galway, had driven a car only twice before the accident and had been up most of the night before playing video games. He had no insurance, had never taken a driving lesson and, when questioned by gardai, said he thought the speed limit was 30 m.p.h.
Garda Muiris Quinn said witnesses estimated Feeney had been travelling at between 70-80 m.p.h. at the point of impact. The car appeared to gain speed as it mounted the footpath and hit Ms Frances Rushe, a student at University College Hospital, Galway, from Kevinsfort, Sligo. She was walking in the opposite direction and would not have seen the car coming. Death was instantaneous, Garda Quinn said.
Feeney had been driving his sister across the city in a friend's car on the morning of January 13th. In a statement to gardai, he said he felt the steering-wheel jerk to the left and when he pulled it to the right with both hands, it veered towards the footpath. He said he was driving at between 45-50 m.p.h.
After the car hit the girl it continued along the footpath before going down a grass embankment where it demolished 20 feet of timber fencing before overturning.
Feeney said he and his sister, who were not wearing seat belts, managed to get out of the car. He saw a group standing over a woman's body, which was 134 ft away from the point of impact.
Mr Adrian MacLynn, defending, said Feeney was extremely remorseful for what had happened and was pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving, having no insurance and having no driving licence. He said Feeney had been assessed seven years ago as being mildly mentally handicapped.
Judge John Garavan said Feeney had been completely inadequate to drive a car. The stretch of road was one of the most complex in the State and even a very skilled driver would have to exercise extreme caution.
"I can't conceive of a more diabolical case," he said. Judge Garavan imposed a four-month sentence for dangerous driving and a fine of £750. He also disqualified Feeney from driving for 10 years. He fined him £300 and disqualified him from driving for one year for not having insurance.