Drink driver jailed over death of friend

A drink-driver was jailed for two years and banned from driving for 12 years for causing the death of his friend travelling in the back seat of his car in Bantry last October.

An aggravating factor in the case against Aidan McCarthy, aged 29, of Ballycomane, Durrus, Bantry, Co Cork, was that he made what was described as an amateurish effort to remove the registration plates on his car immediately after the crash and left the scene.

However, he did co-operate with the Garda investigation shortly after that and in every way since, Garda Jonathan O’Donovan confirmed yesterday.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said the most aggravating factor was that McCarthy was completely drunk. They judge wondered, in light of all that is known about drink-driving in Ireland, how he could have gotten into the car in that state of drunkenness and crashed into a wall, being too drunk to take any evasive action.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Taidhg Burke on October 20, 2013, at Bridge St, Bantry, and to a charge of drink-driving.

McCarthy had already expressed his sorrow privately to the Burke family for the devastation he had caused them but yesterday wanted to do so publicly.

“To the Burke family I am just so sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I hope that over time you will feel less pain,” McCarthy said.

A victim impact statement was read by Noel Burke on behalf of the family of the late Taidhg, who was a musician with a band called The Calvinists.

“On the morning of October 20, 2013 decisions were made somewhat recklessly which resulted in Taidhg’s death: The decision to drive under the influence of alcohol; the decision not to wear a seatbelt,” he said.

” We, as Taidhg’s family, would like to highlight the danger of such actions and hopefully prevent such a terrible tragedy ever occurring again.”

Judge Ó Donnabháin imposed a sentence of three years with the last year suspended, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.