A man whose dangerous driving caused the death of his best friend has been given a two-year suspended sentence and disqualified from driving for 10 years.
Gavin Kavanagh (25), of Blackhorse Avenue, in Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Gary Byrne at the junction of North Circular Road and Aughrim Street on October 2nd, 2003.
Judge Katherine Delahunt said it was "a tragedy for everyone involved" and she accepted that Kavanagh was "suffering ongoing remorse" and felt responsible for the death of his friend.
She said there was "no question that drink, drugs or speed were involved" and that "a custodial sentence would neither benefit the community nor serve any purpose in relation to him".
Judge Delahunt imposed a sentence of two years, which she suspended for four years on strict conditions, and she imposed a 10-year driving ban and ordered the endorsement of Kavanagh's licence.
The court heard that on the evening of the crash Kavanagh was driving a 49cc moped along the North Circular Road with Mr Byrne as a pillion passenger.
A garda said a number of witnesses claimd Kavanagh was travelling on the wrong side of the road at a speed between 22 and 27 miles per hour when he drove through a red light at the junction with Aughrim Street and collided with a car.
He said Mr Byrne was sent backwards through the air and landed heavily on the road suffering serious head injures. He died six days later at Beaumont Hospital. Kavangh suffered a broken leg in the collision.
Gda Boland said Kavangh admitted responsibility and entered an early guilty plea. He said Mr Byrne was Kavanagh's best friend and they had grown up together.
Defence counsel said Kavanagh had offered his friend a lift as a favour and had been travelling below the speed limit when he made an "error in judgement" at the change in lights. He said there was no suggestion that Kavanagh had speeded up to try to "beat the lights".