Crash victim’s father makes plea to young drivers

The father of a young man who was killed when a car driven by his best friend crashed into a cement pillar in Co Meath made a heartfelt plea to young drivers at Trim Circuit Court on Friday.

Delivering a victim impact statement Maurice Dunne, the father of Ronan Dunne who died on December 23rd, 2015, called on young drivers to "learn from the tragedy".

Conor Walsh of Cornelstown House, Cornelstown, Dunboyne had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Ronan Dunne (20) at Cornelstown on December 23rd, 2015.

Mr Dunne was a front seat passenger in a car Walsh was driving when he failed to take a sharp bend and crashed beside the entrance to his home in the early hours of that day.

A second passenger in the car had told a previous hearing the three men had earlier been out celebrating in Dunboyne where they had four or five pints each.

The court heard that paramedics called to the scene found Walsh trying to resuscitate the victim. And a garda told the court the defendant had been in a distraught state.

Walsh, who was a learner driver, had failed a breath test at the scene and a medical report concluded his driving ability would have been impaired by the level of alcohol in his system.

A later technical examination found no sign of any defects with the car before the crash but the road at the time had been wet and muddy.

Delivering a victim impact statement, Maurice Dunne said his family had been devastated by their loss.

“Ronan was a happy, funny guy who had a lovely way with people. He had many friends and was a great friend to have,”he said.

He urged young drivers to learn from the tragedy.

“I would ask young drivers like Conor Walsh to think twice before they take control of a car,” he said.

A defence barrister expressed his client's remorse and regret for what had happened and Judge Martina Baxter remanded Walsh in custody to March 21st to consider what sentence to impose.