Guilty plea over crash that killed baby sisters

A 41-year-old man will be sentenced on Friday for causing the deaths of two baby sisters near Tuam, Co Galway, 18 months ago.

Kate Gilmore, aged two, and her 12-week-old sister Grace, died following a collision on the N17 in Tuam on October 21, 2012.

John O’Connor, with an address at 5, Waterslade Downs, Tuam, appeared before Galway Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.

Mr O’Connor pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at the Demesne, Tuam, which caused the deaths of Kate and Grace Gilmore.

Sentencing in the case was adjourned until Friday.

Patrick McGrath, prosecuting, told the brief hearing at Galway Circuit Criminal Court that the plea met the case against the accused for the DPP and in due course, a nolle prosequi would be entered on outstanding charges.

The outstanding charges are, failing to remain at the scene of an accident; dangerous driving at another location in Tuam on the same date; and failing to make a required declaration on a driving licence application.

John Jordan, defending, said it would take 90 minutes to hear the facts at the sentence hearing.

“This is a particularly tragic case and I’m happy it has been dealt with in the manner in which it has,” said Judge Rory McCabe.