Parents urge tighter controls on driving licences

The parents of a little boy killed in a hit-and-run accident have called for tighter driving licence controls after it emerged a brain-damaged motorist had his licence renewed without having to resit a driving test.

Stephen and Josephine O’Donovan, from Ballymacoda, Co Cork, pleaded for changes after an inquest yesterday into the death of their only child Luke, aged six, outside their home just over three years ago.

Luke was struck by a Ford Focus as he crossed the road in a 50km/h zone outside his home on April 16, 2014. He died in Cork University Hospital two days later from head injuries. The car had been driven by then 48-year-old Edmond Walsh, of Ballyherode, Ballymacoda,