A Cork man was jailed yesterday for dangerous driving causing the death of a man whose mother pleaded for leniency in the case.
Patrick Buckley (23), Millstreet, Co Cork, lost control of his car and hit a wall at about 6am on August 29th, 2010. His friend, back seat passenger Keith Sheehan (23), died of multiple injuries.
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, Margaret Sheehan asked the court not to jail Buckley, but Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said the law had to take its course.
Buckley, a trainee fitter, apologised to the Sheehan family for their loss. He was found to have a blood alcohol level of 118mg (over the 80mg limit) after the crash outside Macroom as he drove two friends home at 6am.
The judge jailed Buckley for three years but agreed to suspend the final 18 months. He disqualified Buckley from driving for six years.