Cork woman tells dangerous driving case: 'Crash brought violent end to my dreams for a new life'

The court heard the 17-year-old defendant drove the wrong way on a motorway at speeds in excess of 170 kph forcing several other motorists to take evasive action

The 17-year-old was remanded in continuing detention to Oberstown Children's Detention Campus until February 12. File picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

A teenager drove a stolen car faster than 170 kilometres per hour the wrong way down the motorway near Mitchelstown causing the death of his teenaged passenger, serious injuries to others in the car, and life-changing harm to a young Cork woman driving to Dublin Airport for a new life in Australia.

Harrowing evidence at the sentencing hearing for the 17-year-old was given on Thursday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The maximum sentence on the charges is 10 years and that has to be halved because he is a juvenile. Judge Helen Boyle said there was a lot to consider and adjourned sentencing until February 12.