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Death driver sentence 'insulting' Death driver sentence 'insulting'
(about 16 hours later)
A four-year sentence given to a teenage drunk driver who killed two men has been criticised by one victim's father.A four-year sentence given to a teenage drunk driver who killed two men has been criticised by one victim's father.
Christopher McGinn of Mountain View Villas, Camlough, was driving a vehicle which struck two cars on the Dublin Road, Newry on 27 October 2006.Christopher McGinn of Mountain View Villas, Camlough, was driving a vehicle which struck two cars on the Dublin Road, Newry on 27 October 2006.
Stephen Shields, 44, from Newry and Dromintee man Gerald Fearon, 26, died.Stephen Shields, 44, from Newry and Dromintee man Gerald Fearon, 26, died.
McGinn, then 16, bought the car for £200 a few hours before the crash. Mr Fearon's father, Peter, said the sentence was a "total insult".McGinn, then 16, bought the car for £200 a few hours before the crash. Mr Fearon's father, Peter, said the sentence was a "total insult".
He added: "Justice has not been served for my family or the family of Mr Shields."He added: "Justice has not been served for my family or the family of Mr Shields."
McGinn pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and driving without insurance.McGinn pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and driving without insurance.
He was banned from driving for 10 years following the accident at the junction with Hawthorn Hill.He was banned from driving for 10 years following the accident at the junction with Hawthorn Hill.
No-one could fail to be moved by the dignified and eloquent way in which the members of both families have described the shattering effects upon their lives Mr Justice HartNo-one could fail to be moved by the dignified and eloquent way in which the members of both families have described the shattering effects upon their lives Mr Justice Hart
A prosecuting barrister told Newry Crown Court that the scene was examined by a forensic scientist who concluded McGinn was driving significantly faster than the 30mph speed limit and on the wrong side of the road.A prosecuting barrister told Newry Crown Court that the scene was examined by a forensic scientist who concluded McGinn was driving significantly faster than the 30mph speed limit and on the wrong side of the road.
Mr Shields died at the scene while Mr Fearon was taken to Daisy Hill Hospital where he was pronounced dead.Mr Shields died at the scene while Mr Fearon was taken to Daisy Hill Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Two of McGinn's passengers also sustained serious injuries in the collision - one spent a week on a life-support machine, the other had to miss a year of school.Two of McGinn's passengers also sustained serious injuries in the collision - one spent a week on a life-support machine, the other had to miss a year of school.
McGinn, now 18, sustained a brain injury but told the court he had no recollection of the collision.McGinn, now 18, sustained a brain injury but told the court he had no recollection of the collision.
A blood sample was taken from him after the crash and despite claiming he only drank two bottles of an alco-pop, Mr Justice Hart said "the forensic evidence is that these could not have accounted for the amount of alcohol found in his blood."A blood sample was taken from him after the crash and despite claiming he only drank two bottles of an alco-pop, Mr Justice Hart said "the forensic evidence is that these could not have accounted for the amount of alcohol found in his blood."
A defence barrister told the court his client had expressed "genuine remorse" about the collision.A defence barrister told the court his client had expressed "genuine remorse" about the collision.
He said McGinn accepted his actions behind the wheel of the car caused the deaths of the two men - something which the barrister said "cannot be put right."He said McGinn accepted his actions behind the wheel of the car caused the deaths of the two men - something which the barrister said "cannot be put right."
He said his client was "pre-occupied by the consequences of his reckless actions" and the brain injury he sustained in the collision "pales into insignificance compared to what others have suffered."He said his client was "pre-occupied by the consequences of his reckless actions" and the brain injury he sustained in the collision "pales into insignificance compared to what others have suffered."
Mr Justice Hart said it was clear that the defendant was driving in a "highly dangerous manner" contributed to by "the considerable quantity of alcohol which he consumed."Mr Justice Hart said it was clear that the defendant was driving in a "highly dangerous manner" contributed to by "the considerable quantity of alcohol which he consumed."
He added: "No-one could fail to be moved by the dignified and eloquent way in which the members of both families have described the shattering effects upon their lives and the lives of the other members of their respective families in the event of that night - events which could and should have been avoided."He added: "No-one could fail to be moved by the dignified and eloquent way in which the members of both families have described the shattering effects upon their lives and the lives of the other members of their respective families in the event of that night - events which could and should have been avoided."
However, Peter Fearon said the sentence would not be a "deterrent" to drunk drivers.However, Peter Fearon said the sentence would not be a "deterrent" to drunk drivers.
"We didn't expect justice but we certainly didn't expect to be insulted by a sentence of four years detention in a holiday camp," he said."We didn't expect justice but we certainly didn't expect to be insulted by a sentence of four years detention in a holiday camp," he said.
A member of the Shields family also expressed disappointment at the sentence.A member of the Shields family also expressed disappointment at the sentence.