Enda Kenny backs mandatory drink-drive penalties

Enda Kenny yesterday reassured a mother, who is campaigning to overhaul drink and drug driving laws, that he was in favour of mandatory penalties and driving bans for offenders.

The Taoiseach met with Christina Donnelly, who lost her son Brendan in a car crash in Castlemartyr, East Cork, in 2009.

Waterford TD John Halligan raised the mother’s campaign during questions to Mr Kenny in the Dáil, with Ms Donnelly in attendance.

She is seeking a mandatory jail sentence of between six and nine years, the immediate disqualification of any driver charged with drink driving until the court case takes place and a mandatory disqualification from driving for at least 20 years, for drink drivers involved in fatal accidents.

Mr Halligan said Christina’s son Brendan, 24, and a friend Lee Salkeld, 26, lost their lives when the car in which they were travelling was hit by a drink driver who had fled the scene.

The driver was found guilty of dangerous driving causing their deaths, and served three years and eight months in prison.

Ms Donnelly wants “Brendan’s Law” introduced whereby drivers involved in fatal accidents who fail a breath test would have licences automatically suspended until a court appearance. People found guilty of causing death while drunk or on drugs should serve a six-year jail term, she also believes.

Mr Kenny yesterday said that road traffic legislation was always changing, but that the case for ‘Brendan’s Law’ could be debated.

“I would be happy to have it considered and will discuss it with the minister in the context of the review of the legislation that is taking place,” he said.

Mr Halligan pointed out one in three road crashes was alcohol-related but that any disqualification usually came into effect 14 days from the date of conviction.

Mr Kenny later met Ms Donnelly and her son Sean. Speaking afterwards, the Waterford mother said she was pleased with the discussion and Mr Kenny’s agreement.

“I found him to be an extremely compassionate person. We spoke about drink and drug driving and the amount of work that has already gone into drink-driving laws in recent years.

“He said that this cannot continue. He was very very positive about changing the law. Regarding Brendan’s law, he said he can see it can certainly coming under legislative issues. He wants us to meet the transport committee and sit around the table and see what has happened so far with drink and drug driving.

“It was all positive stuff, I’m so delighted.”