Learner driver who was texting when he killed schoolgirl jailed for two years

Eric Dunne, aged 26, of Bellair, Ballycumber, Co Offaly, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of a 14-year-old girl

Judge Keenan Johnson cited studies published by the Road Safety Authority, which showed texting while driving increased the risk of an accident by 23 times.

An unaccompanied learner driver who was sending text messages on his phone at the time of a collision which killed a young Offaly schoolgirl has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Judge Keenan Johnson said the tragic death of Aoife Doyle, 14, almost a year ago, highlighted the catastrophic consequences of motorists who recklessly use their mobile phone while driving.