Road victim’s dad dies in crash

A man who died in a road accident yesterday morning had lost a young son in another road crash involving a former Irish rugby star.

The victim of yesterday’s accident in Co Limerick was named locally as James Walsh, 53, who was living in the Kilmallock area.

Mr Walsh’s son, Kevin, aged 16, was killed in 2006, when a parked car in which he was a backseat passenger was hit from behind by former Irish and Munster rugby player Eddie Halvey, in 2006.

Mr Halvey, who failed a roadside breath test, was recorded as being nearly four times over the limit. The former International rugby player received a seven-month suspended sentence in 2009, after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, and to careless driving.

Gardaí in Charleville, Co Cork are investigating yesterday morning’s single- vehicle collision which occurred just over the Limerick county border at Ballincolly, Kilmallock.

Mr Walsh, who was alone in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 1.30am.

His body was removed to Cork University Hospital for a post mortem.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses.

A source said yesterday afternoon: “It’s an awful tragedy for everyone concerned.”

Another source said: “It’s an awful shock. It’s going to bring back awful memories for Kevin’s mother. It’s a terrible time for them now.”

In 2009, after Mr Halvey received a suspended sentence, Kevin’s heartbroken mother, Kate Tierney Walsh, accused judges of sending out the wrong message to drink drivers.

“It sent out the wrong message to everyone in Ireland today. Go out, play sports for Ireland, drink drive, you can kill someone and you won’t get punished in court for it, that is the reality.”

During her victim impact statement, the brave mother of two told Nenagh court how Mr Halvey robbed her of a lifetime with Kevin.

“Eddie Halvey has handed us a life sentence of emptiness and pain,” she said.

Turning to face Mr Halvey in court, Ms Tierney Walsh said she could never forgive or forget him for his “ignorance and selfishness” and “for killing my small man, Kevin”.

Mrs Walsh said that Mr Halvey’s apology in the court came three years too late: “He could have done it the week after, and it wouldn’t have been half as hard on me today, but what can I do?”.

In April 2010, a jury at Kevin’s inquest returned a verdict that his death was not accidental, but was due to misadventure.