The mother of a teenager, who died following a head-on collision, embraced the woman convicted of causing her daughter's death by dangerous driving at Limerick Circuit Court yesterday. Kathryn Hayes reports.
Ms Patricia Boyce (16), Granagh, Co Limerick, died of head injuries sustained in a two-car collision last year on the main Limerick to Cork road.
Hilary O'Callaghan (25), Sandymount Avenue, Glasheen, Cork, was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of Ms Boyce near Croom, Co Limerick, last September 30th.
O'Callaghan told the court she thought she was on a dual carriageway when she overtook a truck and collided with a car travelling in the opposite direction driven by Mr Patrick Boyce, the victim's father.
Garda Tom Flavan, Croom station, said there was no suggestion of excessive speed and the accused woman had made a "serious error" of judgment on an unfamiliar road. Mrs Mary Boyce said her family's life had been devastated by the loss of her "beautiful daughter", who died a week after the accident.
Ms Boyce said her daughter, who was just a few weeks away from her 17th birthday, had been getting ready to go to her debs ball.
"September 30th, 2003, is a day we will never forget. It was a devastating day for two families and no words of mine can describe how life has been since Patricia left us.
"She was a loving daughter, kind, affectionate and always smiling and she is being missed terribly by her sister, who is now an only child.
"We are devastated by the loss and trying to put our lives together.
"We still forgive Hilary for what happened and I hope that she will be able to get her life together," Ms Boyce said.
When called to give evidence the accused woman wept and said she hoped the Boyce family might be able to forgive her.
"I just want to say to the family that I am so sorry, and if I could be given the day back and just take Patricia's place I would. I am so, so sorry, I hope that they can forgive me some day," she said.
The court was told O'Callaghan had not driven since the accident and was receiving counselling and taking medication for panic attacks.
She returned to work last February but moved to Dublin to try to cope.
She also made several attempts to contact the family and stayed in touch with Garda Flavan during the past few months.
Before imposing sentence Judge Carroll Moran paid tribute to the Boyce family for having such a "Christian attitude".
"Unfortunately there are quite a number of these cases in the courts and it is not usual to hear such a forgiving and Christian attitude," he said.
"I hope the Boyce family will be rewarded in this life and the next for having such a forgiving and Christian attitude. It is a credit to them," he added.
Judge Moran said he had to take into account that the accused woman had not been speeding or drinking and that she had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
O'Callaghan had no previous convictions.
Judge Moran imposed a two-year sentence and suspended it for two years. He also disqualified O'Callaghan from driving for 10 years.
After the case Ms Boyce embraced O'Callaghan before leaving the court with her family.