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Nine years for death crash driver Nine years for death crash driver
(10 minutes later)
A man has been jailed for nine years for causing death by dangerous driving.A man has been jailed for nine years for causing death by dangerous driving.
Thomas O'Brien, 30, of Muckross Road, Kesh, had been drinking in a pub in County Fermanagh on Christmas Eve 2005 when he lost control of his car. Thomas O'Brien, 30, of Muckross Road, Kesh, had been drinking in a pub in County Fermanagh on Christmas Eve 2005.
Passenger Paul Flanagan, 36, died after the crash and two other people were seriously injured. He later lost control of his car on a bend and a passenger, Paul Flanagan, 36, was killed. Two other people were seriously injured.
O'Brien pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine years in prison and one year on probation. He was also disqualified from driving for 20 years. O'Brien also got a year's probation and 20-year driving ban. The judge said it was one of the worst cases of driving he had encountered.
Dungannon Crown Court heard that O'Brien left the scene of the accident before the emergency services had arrived and fled the country until December 2008. Dungannon Crown Court heard that O'Brien drove away from the accident in another car before the emergency services had arrived. He fled the country until December 2008.
The court heard that O'Brien had been convicted of driving whilst disqualified less than two months prior to the accident in October, 2005.The court heard that O'Brien had been convicted of driving whilst disqualified less than two months prior to the accident in October, 2005.
During his disqualification and suspended sentence period O'Brien bought the car he was driving on Christmas Eve when he caused the accident.During his disqualification and suspended sentence period O'Brien bought the car he was driving on Christmas Eve when he caused the accident.
Judge David McFarland said that this was one of the worst cases of driving that he has had to deal with.
The court heard that statements given by staff and customers suggested O'Brien had consumed at least 10 drinks of cider and vodka, followed by some shots of Goldschlagger.The court heard that statements given by staff and customers suggested O'Brien had consumed at least 10 drinks of cider and vodka, followed by some shots of Goldschlagger.
In sentencing, the judge said he took into account the fact that Thomas O'Brien had pleaded guilty after nearly three years. Judge David McFarland said he took into account the fact that Thomas O'Brien had pleaded guilty after nearly three years.
He said this had brought some comfort to the family and witnesses who did not have to endure a lengthy trial or give evidence in court.He said this had brought some comfort to the family and witnesses who did not have to endure a lengthy trial or give evidence in court.
The judge said that Paul Flanagan's death had had an impact on the defendant and reinforced the evidence of his remorse.The judge said that Paul Flanagan's death had had an impact on the defendant and reinforced the evidence of his remorse.