A man whose dangerous driving caused the death of his best friend has been given a two-year suspended sentence and disqualified from driving for 10 years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Gavin Kavanagh (25), Blackhorse Avenue, Grangegorman, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death to Gary Byrne at the junction of North Circular Road and Aughrim Street on October 2nd, 2003.
Judge Katherine Delahunt said it was "a tragedy for everyone involved" and she accepted that Kavanagh was "suffering ongoing remorse" and felt responsible for the death of his friend.
She said there was "no question that drink, drugs or speed were involved" and "a custodial sentence would neither benefit the community nor serve any purpose in relation to him".
Judge Delahunt imposed a sentence of two years which she suspended for four years on strict conditions and imposed a 10-year driving ban and endorsement of his licence.
Garda Eamon Boland told Fergal Foley prosecuting, that on the evening of October 2nd, 2003, Kavanagh was driving a moped along the North Circular Road with Mr Byrne as a pillion passenger.
Garda Boland said a number of witnesses claimed Kavanagh was travelling on the wrong side of the road at a speed between 22 and 27 miles per hour when he drove through a red light at the junction with Aughrim Street and collided with a car.
He said Mr Byrne was sent backwards through the air and landed heavily on the road suffering serious head injures. He died six days later at Beaumont Hospital. Kavanagh suffered a broken leg in the collision.
Garda Boland said Kavanagh admitted responsibility and entered an early guilty plea. He said Mr Byrne was Kavanagh's best friend and they had grown up together.