Man jailed for four years over drink-driving crash that killed two friends in Limerick
Patrick Carroll jailed for four years over drink-driving crash that killed two friends in Limerick. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
A young man has been sentenced to four years in prison for drink driving and dangerous driving causing the deaths of his two friends in Co Limerick.
Judge Simon McAleese imposed the four-year sentence on 22-year-old Patrick Carroll, of Drinagh, Fivealley, Birr, Co Offaly, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving causing death and one count of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was also disqualified from driving for eight years.
Mr Carroll was sentenced at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Friday, after asking his legal counsel to surrender his bail on Wednesday to allow the sentencing to proceed despite the ongoing solicitors' dispute.
Judge McAleese took into account victim impact statements from the families of Darragh Dullea and Cillian Kirwan.
Darragh Dullea, 20, from Clonakilty, Co Cork, and Cillian Kirwan, 19, from Piltown, Co Kilkenny, died in the collision on the N69 at Ballyengland, near Askeaton, on February 20, 2024.
The court heard Mr Carroll was almost three times over the legal alcohol limit when he lost control of the car, which struck a wall.
Mr Carroll had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Dullea, dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Kirwan, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Judge McAleese first referred to the victim impact statement of Mr Kirwan's mother, Sinéad Molloy.
He said Ms Molloy read her statement with "understated strength and dignity", adding that her and her daughter Áine's lives had been "shattered".
In her statement, Ms Molloy described how her son was "unrecognisable" when she was asked to identify him following the collision.
Judge McAleese said her description of that experience would "shock anyone who reads it".
He then referred to the second statement, read by prosecuting counsel Lily Buckley on behalf of Mr Dullea's family and written by his sister, Aoife.
Judge McAleese said Aoife's "evocative prose captured Darragh's character" and that his dream of taking on the family farm "had been robbed".
The court heard Mr Carroll, who was almost three times over the legal limit at the time of the collision, was "well aware of the risks" of driving while intoxicated.
In delivering sentence, the judge said he had also considered the mitigation advanced by Brian McInerney SC, for the defence.
He referred to Mr Carroll's guilty pleas and said he had "immediately confessed" at the scene that he was at fault.
The judge noted that, by surrendering his bail, Mr Carroll had confronted the matter "head on". Had he not done so, the sentencing hearing would have been adjourned.
Judge McAleese also referred to three character references submitted on Mr Carroll's behalf, which indicated he was of good character. He also referred to a letter from Mr Carroll's father, who said his son would have to live with his mistake "for his whole life".
The judge noted that Mr Carroll had also written letters of apology to the families of Darragh Dullea and Cillian Kirwan.
The court heard Mr Carroll is deeply remorseful, has not drunk alcohol since the collision and has no intention of drinking again.
It also heard he is considered to be at low risk of reoffending and is unlikely ever to appear before the criminal courts again.
A sentencing hearing on Wednesday heard that both fatalities occurred on the passenger side of the vehicle.
The court also heard witnesses described Mr Carroll shouting, "Wake up, Darragh," at the scene.
Evidence established that all three occupants were wearing seatbelts and that the vehicle's airbags had deployed.
Mr Carroll was represented by Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Liam Carroll BL.
Lily Buckley, prosecuting, was instructed by State Solicitor for Co Limerick Brendan Gill.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
