Driver who killed Shane, 18, was banned until 2023

The heartbroken mother of a man killed by a serial offender with almost 500 convictions has revealed her shock at discovering he was under a driving ban until 2023 when he killed her son.

Julie Patton lost her eldest son, Shane, when Eamon Lynch smashed into him in Drumkeen, Co Donegal on July 12, 2012. Lynch, who had been drinking, killed Shane while driving at 165kph in his Toyota Celica car just after midnight.

Father of three Lynch, who is originally from Derry, this week pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of Shane, who was just 18, and was jailed for 18 months when he appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court.