A MAN with three previous convictions for driving without insurance was jailed for seven months at Wexford District Court yesterday for his part in a fatal crash. He was also banned from driving for 10 years.
After sentencing there were tense scenes outside the court as more than 30 friends and family members of the victims hurled abuse at the defendant.
The charges against Gary Farrell, who is in his early 30s, of Johnstown, Duncormick, Co Wexford, arose out of a road crash in which two Wexford teenagers, Rebecca Furlong and Michael Keary, died instantly. The defendant had been travelling in the same direction as the teenagers when he struck the rear of their car.
Farrell was sentenced to four months by Judge Donnchadh O Buachalla for driving without insurance and to a consecutive three months for hit and run at Rochestown, Taghmon, on August 30th. He was given a further three months, to run concurrently with the other three month sentence, for the unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle on the same date.
As a result of the impact the teenagers' car exploded. The court beard Farrell ran away but called to a Garda station the next day and admitted the offence.
Mr Jack Hickey, defending, told the court Farrell would appeal. He was granted bail in the sum of £1,000 in his own bond and a £300 independent surety.