A man who took over driving a car when his friend had driven it into a ditch went on to crash the vehicle resulting in his friend's death, a court has been told.
At Dundalk Circuit Court yesterday, David Halpenny (46), St Clement's Park, Dundalk, was given a two-year suspended jail sentence for dangerous driving causing the death of Liam McCartney (37), Newry, Co Down.
The court heard they were part of a group who visited a number of pubs on April 27th, 2003.
The men and two friends got into a car. Mr McCartney had been driving "at speed". It was a twisty road and he had lost control of the car and had gone into a ditch.
Halpenny took over the driving. On a bend at Stephenstown, on the old Dundalk-Ardee road, he lost control and the car went into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Mr McCartney was killed instantly.
Halpenny made a statement to gardaí within days admitting his role. He developed post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression. The men had been friends and he felt enormous remorse, his barrister Roddy O'Hanlon said.
Judge Michael O'Shea said the only evidence about the amount of drink Halpenny had was from Halpenny himself and five pints would be enough to affect his ability to control the vehicle.
Judge O'Shea imposed a two-year jail term and suspended it on his entering into a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for four years. He disqualified him from driving for 10 years and ordered his licence be endorsed.