Driver in fatal Perth crash apologises to Kerry family

A 20-year-old man, who has admitted dangerous driving that resulted in a fatal accident in Australia, has apologised to three members of an Irish family seriously injured in the crash.

Michael Craig Burvill was the driver of the car that collided with a station wagon in which Kerry couple Gerard, 57, and Marguerite, 52, Brosnan, and their daughter, Karen, 28, were passengers.

The Brosnans were all hospitalised, but an Australian friend of the family, Marty Roberts, 56, who was driving, was killed in the January 4 accident.

Burvill pleaded guilty to the charge at Perth Magistrates Court, where he is due to appear again on April 10.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Burvill, who is also charged with drink driving, said he wanted to apologise to both families.

“I just want to say sorry to the Roberts family and the Brosnan family and anyone else I’ve affected from the crash,” he said.

“I made a stupid mistake and I have to face that now. I know nothing I can say will bring him back or be any condolence at all, but I’m just sorry. That’s it.”

Friends of both families outside the court had anti-drink-driving slogans on their clothing.

Ger and Marguerite Brosnan, from Port Rd, Killarney, had been visiting Karen and her sister Claire in Perth, over the Christmas period. They are recovering in Perth, but may not be able to return home for some months. Some members of the extended Brosnan family have travelled to Perth.

Fund-raising events have been organised, including a €120-a-team golf competition in Killarney GC on February 21-22, and a table quiz in the club on February 22.