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Nine-year term for death driver Nine-year term for death driver
(about 2 hours later)
A Belfast man who caused the deaths of his teenage cousin and a friend in a head-on car crash on the Falls Road has been jailed for nine years.A Belfast man who caused the deaths of his teenage cousin and a friend in a head-on car crash on the Falls Road has been jailed for nine years.
Thomas McCartney, 24, of Ballymurphy Crescent, admitted killing his cousin Jamie-Lee Rooney, 15, and friend Paul McCrory, 22, on 18 December 2005.Thomas McCartney, 24, of Ballymurphy Crescent, admitted killing his cousin Jamie-Lee Rooney, 15, and friend Paul McCrory, 22, on 18 December 2005.
Jailing him for dangerous driving, the judge said he "must reflect the public disgust at this type of behaviour".Jailing him for dangerous driving, the judge said he "must reflect the public disgust at this type of behaviour".
He said bereaved relatives and others injured were "serving a life sentence".He said bereaved relatives and others injured were "serving a life sentence".
Six other people were hurt in the crash, and the judge said "all of them will live with the memory and tragedy of this particular evening and will probably never get over it".Six other people were hurt in the crash, and the judge said "all of them will live with the memory and tragedy of this particular evening and will probably never get over it".
Belfast Crown Court heard that McCartney had been weaving in and out of traffic, overtaking and travelling at speeds up to 90mph.Belfast Crown Court heard that McCartney had been weaving in and out of traffic, overtaking and travelling at speeds up to 90mph.
He was on the wrong side of the road when he smashed head-on into a Mercedes taxi.He was on the wrong side of the road when he smashed head-on into a Mercedes taxi.
McCartney also admitted to driving without insuranceMcCartney also admitted to driving without insurance
He agreed that after serving his nine-year term, he would serve a further 12 months on probation.He agreed that after serving his nine-year term, he would serve a further 12 months on probation.
Judge Patrick Lynch QC told him that "in my view, you should probably never ever be behind the wheel of a car again".Judge Patrick Lynch QC told him that "in my view, you should probably never ever be behind the wheel of a car again".
He said he was tempted to ban him from driving for life, but disqualified him for 20 years.He said he was tempted to ban him from driving for life, but disqualified him for 20 years.