A judge at the Circuit Criminal Court in Monaghan yesterday imposed a three-year suspended sentence on a woman convicted by a jury of dangerous driving and causing the deaths of two passengers in her car nearly three years ago.
Frances Flanagan (31), Lurganmore, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was also convicted of driving while drunk, and the judge increased the 10-year ban already imposed to 15 years. The trial also heard the crash took place after Flanagan moved, while driving, to change a Kylie Minogue tape playing in the car.
Judge John O'Hagan applied a number of conditions to his ruling and directed that Flanagan continue to undergo counselling and avail of rehabilitation facilities, as well as services provided by Fás, the industrial training body.
He also directed that Flanagan should avoid any offences and remain out of trouble for a four-year period, or the three-year custodial sentence would be activated. The court heard that Flanagan had a history of sex abuse, attempted suicides and addiction to alcohol and drugs. She had also served a jail sentence after being convicted on an arson charge in Dublin some years ago.
Judge O'Hagan recalled how the fatal crash took place in which Flanagan's two friends were killed. The couple died when Flanagan's car struck a culvert on the main Dublin to Derry Road near Castleblayney on September 18th, 2004.
They were Séamus Walsh of Lissaquill, Broomfield, Co Monaghan, and Theresa Murray, a mother of two, from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.
Judge O'Hagan said the victims had three drinks with Flanagan before the fatal crash and she had also been drinking on the previous night. After the crash it was established that she was twice over the legal limit.