A drunk driver has been jailed for dangerous driving causing the death of 4-yr-old Ciaran Treacy – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

A drunk driver has been jailed for dangerous driving causing the death of 4-yr-old Ciaran Treacy




 

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Cries and shouts were heard in court today after businessman Finbarr O’Rourke was sentenced to 7 and half years for causing the death of 4-yr-old Ciaran Treacey from dangerous driving.

The Dundalk man was also banned from driving for 20 years without exception.

Mr O’Rourke made no response as Judge Keenan Johnson handed down the sentence at Portlaoise Circuit Court this morning.

Judge Johnson became teary eyed at one point during proceedings and even had to stop to compose himself. He said that in a split second, the “Treacy’s beautiful family was shattered forever”.

He said Ciaran’s mother, Gillian’s victim impact statement was “one of the most powerful, harrowing, vivid and upsetting” he had ever read in a courtroom.

Mr O’Rourke was described in court as a kind, big-hearted individual who had raised money for charities. In the run up to the tragedy, he had lost his job, his marriage broke down and he had problems repaying his mortgage, the court heard.

In a statement after the sentencing, the family said:
“We thank God for four precious years with him but grieve for the life he was denied by the actions of Finbarr O’Rourke, a drink driver who shattered and devastated our family.”

Mr O’Rourke, 40, of Laurel Drive in Portlaoise, was arrested at the scene of the accident at Ballymorris, Portlaoise, on April 17, 2014.

The court heard how O’Rourke was 7 times over the legal limit for a professional driver – he was a salesman for Cadburys at the time of the accident.

The head-on crash happened as Mrs Treacy was returning home to Portarlington with Ciaran and his seven-year-old brother Sean, after spending a day with their grandparents in Stradbally, Co Laois.

“The collision happened within seconds, leaving me crushed and trapped in our car, unable to get my boys out of the car, having to wait, which felt like an eternity, for some passers-by to help,” Mrs Treacy said. “While we waited for help to arrive, the panic, shock and pain was unbearable. I saw the driver was slumped over his wheel just before the accident happened”.

Gillian Treacy has been left in a wheelchair following the tragedy and sadly Ciaran lost his life.

“My whole life was shattered and my heart was broken when my worst nightmare had been confirmed.”
Ciaran’s body was brought to her in hospital and she spent the night “talking to him and making the most of our final hours together”.

“I spoke to God about Ciaran’s favourite toys, food, colour and all the things that made him unique,” asking God to mind her little boy with one truly sad last thought from a brave lady.

 

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