A 26-year-old man who crashed a stolen car into two pensioners has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Michael Sheahan, a father-of-two from Cliona Park in Moyross, was driving at high speed through the village and being pursued by gardaí after he was involved in a series of burglaries in nearby Clonlara.
Eric Ryan, 80, and his friends William Barry, 77, and 80-year-old Dermot O’Brien had just finished their weekly game of pitch and putt at the village of Parteen on 25 September when they were hit by the car.
Mr Ryan, a former inter-county hurler for Limerick, had to have his leg amputated as a result of his injuries.
Mr Barry, a retired Garda, had suffered a serious brain injury but has recovered.
Mr O’Brien was severely traumatised by the events of that day and has since died.
Judge O’Donnell said it was a very serious case demanding a lengthy sentence, he said the appalling and reckless driving of Sheahan had had a harrowing and profound effect on the victims, and their families.
He imposed a five year sentence on the charge of dangerous driving causing serious injury to the victims.
This is to run consecutively to a three year sentence also imposed on Sheahan for a series of burglaries committed in the Co Clare area in May last year, which means he will spend eight years in prison.