A Cork man has been sentenced to nine years in jail after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of two teenage boys and other offences related to the unlawful taking of a car.
David Todd (20), of St Michael's Road, Farranree, Cork, was given the nine-year term by Judge Moran backdated to October. The judge refused an application for an early review.
The mothers of the boys who were killed by the stolen car spoke yesterday of the devastation caused in their families. Mrs Sheila Kirby, mother of Stephen, and Mrs Jenny O'Connell, mother of Trevor, told Cork Criminal Circuit Court about their "very popular" sons who were together on March 17th, 1997, when they were hit by the vehicle. Trevor died instantly, while Stephen died in hospital three days later.
"It was a week before Stephen's 18th birthday. He had just left school the year before and was delighted to be working and have money in his pocket," said Mrs Kirby. "His death has had a devastating effect on the family and life will never be the same for us. We miss him every day."
Mrs O'Connell said Trevor, the youngest of four sons, had great potential as a soccer player, had many friends and had so much to look forward to.
"The grief caused by the death of a child is a bewildering thing. There is sadness and anger and pain and emptiness."
The women thanked gardai for the effort they had put into the case and for their support and sympathy.
Todd's mother, Mrs Mary Todd (42), had to be helped from the witness-box after she broke down. On her return she sobbed as she apologised to the victims' families.
"Three families have been hurt. They are hurting more than me, but we have been hurt as well. David was only 18 when this happened.
"No matter how long he gets in jail, he will have to live with this for the rest of his life. So will we."
There had been eight deaths in Cork alone during the last two years as a direct result of "joyriding", Supt P.J. Brennan told the court. Last year more than 900 cars were stolen in the greater Cork area.
In a letter to the court read by Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC, Todd told of his horror when he realised what he had done and the grief and remorse he had since experienced.
He described how he was tempted to drive the car, which was initially stolen by another youth and abandoned in a field, after he had had a few drinks. He gave himself up to gardai the following day when he realised that he had killed a friend of his, Trevor O'Connell, and that another boy, Stephen, was fighting for his life.
"I hope their families will find it in their hearts to forgive me," he said.
Todd, a machine operator, was described by his employers as extremely reliable and trustworthy, `'a valuable employee we shall be sorry to lose."