Drink-driver jailed after killing ‘good Samaritan’

A disqualified driver has been jailed for six-and-a-half years and disqualified from driving for 10 years after he killed a “good Samaritan” while drink driving.

Witnesses stated that Desmond Collopy, aged 29, was showing off and jerking the steering wheel before he hit 50-year-old Eamon Cronin. Mr Cronin had just crossed the road to try and break up a fight and was almost on the footpath when he was hit.

Mr Cronin, a bank official, was described in court as a good Samaritan, a true gentleman, and the love of his wife’s life.

Collopy, who had six ongoing disqualification orders over him at the time, never stopped at the scene. He told the backseat passengers in his Volkswagen Golf that someone had just thrown a bottle at his car.

Collopy, of Landen Rd, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing death at North St, Swords on August 16, 2014.

He also pleaded guilty to having no insurance, driving while disqualified, and failing to stop his vehicle at the scene of an accident. His 186 previous convictions include 148 road traffic offences and 30 disqualification orders.

Sergeant Adrian Murray told Anne Marie Lawlor, prosecuting, that Collopy was seen on CCTV footage that night drinking in various establishments and drank at least nine pints of lager before drinking cocktails in Swords. He continued drinking in a B&B after killing Mr Cronin.

Mr Cronin’s widow, Jane Fitzsimons, told the court her life was changed forever that night. She said she had lost the love of her life, her best friend, her lover, and her beloved husband of 19 years.

“It is like falling off a cliff and I was still hanging on the edge,” she said.