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Seven years jail for death driver | Seven years jail for death driver |
(7 minutes later) | |
A Fermanagh man who admitted killing four friends by dangerous driving has been jailed for seven years. | |
Daniel McDonnell, 21, from Galloon Gardens, Newtownbutler, was also banned from driving for 12 years. | Daniel McDonnell, 21, from Galloon Gardens, Newtownbutler, was also banned from driving for 12 years. |
He was drunk and speeding when he lost control of his car and it crashed into a tree on the Moorlough Road, Lisnaskea, on 2 July 2006. | |
Peter Leonard and Jonathan McDonald, both 21, Anita Swift, 16, and Danica O'Rourke, 17, died in the accident. | Peter Leonard and Jonathan McDonald, both 21, Anita Swift, 16, and Danica O'Rourke, 17, died in the accident. |
A front seat passenger was seriously injured. | |
McDonnell changed his plea to guilty as his trial was about to start last month. | McDonnell changed his plea to guilty as his trial was about to start last month. |
As he sentenced him, Judge David McFarland expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased. | |
Daniel McDonnell pleaded guilty last month | |
He said: "Each has suffered the loss of a loved one, taken from them in tragic circumstances. | |
"Their loss has touched the hearts of the entire community in Fermanagh and throughout Northern Ireland." | |
The judge said he had received letters from the families of the victims and from the young man who was seriously injured in the crash. | |
Judge McFarland told McDonnell: "There is a difference between genuine remorse and feeling anguish for one's predicament following the commission of a crime. | |
"It is difficult to see any evidence of real remorse on your part". | |
Outside the court, Inspector Ian Kennedy said he was pleased the matter had been concluded. | |
"It is gratifying that the judge has seen fit to hand out what is a reasonably heavy sentence in relation to other cases in Northern Ireland. | |
"I think the families themselves have a degree of satisfaction they've got some justice for their children and for themselves." | |
The families said they hoped the sentence would send out a clear message to other young drivers. |