Inquest confirms Fermoy crash deaths were accidental

A jury at the inquest into the death of two young men killed in a car crash in Co Cork two years ago has returned a verdict of death by misadventure in each case.

'Misadventure' is defined as an act that is lawful and carries no intent to do harm, but results in the death of another person.

Nineteen-year-old James Sexton and 22-year-old Michael Murphy died when the car in which they were passengers hit a wall in Fermoy in August 2007.

The driver of the car, 22-year-old Theresa Dingivan, was last year cleared of two charges of dangerous driving causing death.

The inquest jury today recommended that the law regarding provisional licences be more strictly enforced by gardaí.

At the trial last year, judge Patrick J. Moran told the jury before they retired to consider their verdict that they could take into consideration the experience of the defendant; she had been driving her 1994-registered Honda Civic for two months prior to the accident and was on a first provisional license.

"I'd like to say that I'm sorry, and if I could turn back time I would," Theresa Dingivan said afterwards, outside the court.

"I am really sorry for what happened, and if we could turn back the clock then we would, but we can’t."