New Year's smash driver gets four years

A 20-year-old disqualified driver whose out-of-control car smashed into a group of girls on New Year's Eve 2007, causing two of them serious injuries, has been given a four-year sentence.

Richard Doyle, whose own mother died in a car accident, fled the scene when witnesses began abusing him leaving the two 17-year-old girls, one of whom was celebrating her birthday, trapped and screaming in pain.

Doyle, of Valeview Drive, Finglas, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to the two Leaving Certificate students on December 31, 2007 at Dunsink Road, Finglas. He also pleaded guilty to having no driving licence and no insurance on the same occasion.

Judge Tony Hunt imposed a four-year sentence with the final two years suspended for five years.

He disqualified Doyle from driving for 10 years and wished the two girls a speedy recovery.

The eldest girl, who suffered a spiral femur fracture, said that she would never forget the pain shooting through her as she lay in hospital and she gets flashbacks when sleeping.

Her younger friend, who also suffered leg injuries, said she was unable to fulfil her dream of becoming a fitness instructor because of her injuries but now hopes to join the gardaí.

Garda Paul Gosker told Ms Úna Ní Raifeartaigh BL, prosecuting, that Doyle had six previous convictions and had been disqualified from driving for two years in 2006 for drunk driving.