Six years in jail have been imposed on a disqualified motorist who murdered a pedestrian while running from the gardai and shown “a complete disregard for lives of others”, reports RTE.
Following their observation of 23-yr-old Michael Mc Guirk running a red light, the gardai set out to pursue him. He was trying to get away from the gardai at a fast pace when he went onto the wrong side of the road and hit 67-yr-old Carol Seery and her husband.
According to testimony given at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Mc Guirk did not engage his brake lights, he did not change direction or make an evasive move, and he proceeded at a high speed before leaving the car close by.
Mrs. Seery was characterised in court as a “very much-loved woman” who was a carer at the core of a loving family. She is survived by her husband, three daughters, and six grandkids, reports RTE.
Although her family filed victim impact statements, they requested that they not be read aloud in public.
On October 4, 2023, Michael Mc Guirk, of Cashel Avenue, Crumlin, Dublin 12, entered a guilty plea to charges of driving without insurance, endangering life, and causing hazardous driving at Phibsborough Road and nearby areas.
Mc Guirk had 66 prior convictions, including three for reckless driving, seven for stealing automobiles, five for interfering with an automobile without permission, and three for not having insurance. At the time, his driving privileges had been suspended for four years, reports RTE.
Among his other convictions are those for trespassing, robbery, burglary, assault, criminal damage, knife possession, and nonattendance.
Judge Elva Duffy delivered the punishment, stating that while Mrs. Seery and her husband had been enjoying a nice evening, their family’s life were irrevocably altered.
She mentioned how very poignant the victim impact statements she had read described the passing of “this very much loved woman.” According to her, Carol Seery was the centre of her devoted family and ought to have been living her best life. Nothing the court could do, she claimed, would make up for their loss, reports RTE.
According to Judge Duffy, Mc Guirk was driving a car that he shouldn’t have been in, thus his goal was to get away from the gardai. She mentioned his difficult upbringing and early academic challenges. She considered the fact that he had made an effort to move on with his life and had made good use of his previous custody period.
The court described his attempts at rehabilitation as a “double-edged sword” since, although he was trying to turn his life around, he was also taking steps that had previously led to criminal activity, such purchasing an uninsured automobile and driving to avoid gardai.
She pointed out that he must accept responsibility for his actions and that, as supported by a psychologist’s assessment, he had shown sincere regret. She acknowledged his youth and added that his early plea was essential, reports RTE.
Judge Duffy stated that the driving style, speed, and the fact that he had veered to the wrong side of the road as he approached a rise—a particularly hazardous location to do so—were among the aggravating circumstances.
She also mentioned his past transgressions and his inability to halt at the spot.
Considering the mitigating circumstances, Judge Duffy gave a sentence of six years in addition to the headline penalty of eight and a half years.
She issued a 15-year ban from driving, reports RTE.
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