An Italian drink driver has been jailed for seven years after he was convicted of causing the deaths of two Irish women in Rome on St Patrick’s Day two years ago.
Mary Collins (28) from Co Kildare and Elizabeth Gubbins (27) from Co Limerick, died after they were knocked down by Friedrich Vernarelli's car at a pedestrian crossing in central Rome at about 3am on March 18th, 2008.
Vernarelli (33), was convicted of manslaughter, driving while drunk and fleeing the scene of an accident. He was also found guilty of refusing to take a test for drugs. He had pleaded not guilty.
Judge Anna Maria Pazienza also ordered him to pay almost €1 million in legal cost and compensation.
Vernarelli's lawyer said his client would appeal.
Throughout this trial, which opened in September 2008, Vernarelli calimed he was was not at the wheel of the Mercedes car that hit the two Irish women.
He claimed a Hungarian tourist was driving the car at the time of the fatal incident.