Man jailed over road crash that killed brother
And as her son was led to the cells, she cried out: “I am after losing one son and you can’t take another son from me.”
At Limerick Circuit Court, Jason Ahern, aged 20, of Stoney Nook, Ballyan, Askeaton, was jailed for three years when he admitted to dangerous driving and creating a serious risk to road users.
Ahern and his brother, Denis, were racing powerful motorbikes on a busy road — Denis was killed instantly when their machines touched, a court heard yesterday.
Michael Collins BL, for the State, said the accused and his brother Denis, aged 26, repeatedly overtook each other at speeds of up to 100km/h.
As they travelled on the N69 at Ballybrown the bikes touched and spun out of control.
Denis Ahern’s bike crossed the road and ploughed into a car being driven by Askeaton businessman, Mortimer Stack, 49.
Mr Collins said Denis Ahern died instantly and Mr Stack received massive injuries and has been left with permanent sight and hearing impairments.
A breath alcohol test of the accused after the accident gave a reading of 89 — the limit is 35.
A blood test from his deceased brother also showed drink had been consumed.
Mr Collins said the two brothers travelled along the Kildimo/Limerick Road at speeds of up to 100km/h.
Witnesses watched as they engaged in repeated overtaking switch manoeuvres.
At one point the bikes touched and went out of control. The bike with the late Denis Ahern crossed the road ploughing into a car driven by Mr Stack.
The court heard that one witness said that after the impact the accused, Jason Ahern, was hysterical and was calling on his brother to wake up.
Passing sentence, Judge Carroll Moran said the accused would have to live with the memory of the death of his brother.
The drink level of the accused was also an aggravating factor.
