16-year-old boy gets sentence for fatal crash

A 16-year-old who bought himself a car online and crashed it later that day, killing his friend, has been sentenced to 16 months’ detention.

The boy, who was 15 at the time and cannot be named as he is a minor, was sentenced yesterday at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The deceased, Dayne Cody, was also aged 15. Three other teenage boys were in the back seat at the time, one of whom had to have 90% of one foot amputated. The other boys had minor injuries.

The underage driver lost control of the car when he saw a Garda vehicle and sped up in panic. The car spun into a tree at high speed, killing Mr Cody instantly.

The boy pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death at Station Rd, Clondalkin, on December 20, 2014, as well as driving without a licence or insurance.

Judge Martin Nolan said despite the boy having a previously good record, he deserved a period of detention for his own sake and the sake of society. He imposed four years’ detention, suspending all but 16 months of the term.

Mr Cody’s aunt, Deborah Cody, read out a victim impact statement written by his mother, Paula. “My first-born son which I held in my arms was taken so tragically. He was my world, he was my only son, he protected and looked after his four little sisters who he cared for and loved dearly,” she said.

Detective Garda Padraig Jennings told Anne Rowland, prosecuting, the boy accelerated when he saw a Garda van pass on the M50 bridge. The gardaí had not noticed the boys. A witness saw the car swerve violently before spinning 360 degrees and smashing into the tree.

Det Garda Jennings told Michael Bowman, defending,

that the boy had fully co-operated with the gardaí from the time of the accident and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.