A MAN who led detectives on a 30km pursuit before crashing into another patrol car and killing a young garda has been jailed for seven years.
Martin McDermott was found guilty of the manslaughter of Garda Gary McLoughlin in Co Donegal in December 2009.
McDermott (25), Castlegrove, Raphoe, was also found guilty of the reckless endangerment of Garda Bernard McLaughlin.
He had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, drink-driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.
Some of the late Garda McLoughlin’s relatives, who travelled from their home town of Fenagh in Co Leitrim, broke down when the verdict was delivered.
The dead garda’s brother Enda told the court his family’s lives had been changed forever because of the death. He described his brother as an ordinary, happy young man who loved his job. “It is difficult but we just miss those normal days,” he said.
The trial had heard how gardaí spotted McDermott speeding out of The Grove petrol station in Bridgend after 1.20am on December 13th, 2009. They followed him and a chase ensued for more than 30km, with McDermott reaching speeds of up to 180km/h.
The pursuit ended when McDermott (25), smashed head-on into a marked patrol car at Lisfannon, Burt. Garda McLoughlin (24), the patrol car driver, died the next day in hospital due to his injuries.
Prosecuting barrister Alex Owens SC said there was enough evidence to reach a verdict of involuntary manslaughter. He said McDermott’s average speed during the pursuit across Donegal was 150km/h.
Defence barrister Peter Finlay SC said there was simply not enough evidence to find a verdict of manslaughter against McDermott. The jury, he said, should not be influenced by the fact the victim was a garda. “Just because the injured person was a guard cannot influence your decision, and that is said without the slightest disrespect to the force.”
In summing up, Judge John O’Hagan also said the fact Gary McLoughlin was a garda should not influence their verdict. “You must look at the case in the cold light of day. You are not deciding this case to keep anyone happy.”
After McDermott was found guilty of both charges, Judge O’Hagan passed sentence. He was told the accused had 91 previous convictions – many for traffic offences including drink-driving as well as burglary and forgery.
He sentenced McDermott to eight years for the manslaughter charge and suspended the last year. He sentenced him to a further five years for the reckless endangerment of Garda McLaughlin. On the dangerous driving causing death charge McDermott was sentenced to five years and disqualified from driving for 20 years.
He received six months each on the charges of drink driving, having no insurance and driving while disqualified. All the sentences are to run concurrently.
Judge O’Hagan said he wanted to send out a message to all young drivers about the consequences of their actions.