A Wicklow man was jailed for five years yesterday after pleading guilty to dangerous driving which killed an English tourist in Offaly. Shane Kinsella, Seaview Heights, Rathnew, appeared before Judge Anthony Kennedy on charges relating to a car crash at Kiloleen, Daingean, on May 11th, 1998.
The court heard Kinsella (25) was driving a stolen car and the collision occurred when he tried to overtake a hired vehicle at speed at a bend in the road. Cans and flagons of cider were found in the car.
Mr Edward Jeremy jnr (43), a father of four, died at the scene of the accident and his father, brother, brother-in-law and a friend were injured. The group had travelled from Lancashire and were on their way to Rahan, Co Offaly. The court was told Kinsella, who was serving a six- year sentence for larceny, was unlawfully at large at the time. Counsel for the defence, Mr John Phelan SC, submitted that his client was an illiterate alcoholic who was sexually abused as a child.
Judge Kennedy imposed a five-year sentence for dangerous driving causing death, a three-year sentence for endangerment contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and two years for the unlawful taking of a vehicle, all sentences to be served concurrently.