This article is from page 11 of the 2006-06-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A CLARE hurler who drove a car in a fatal accident which cost the life of a young woman has been banned from driving for five years.
Aidan Quilligan (18), of Cloughoolia, Sixmilebridge, was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of Charelle Howard, at Shanaway Road, Ennis, on July 16 last year.
Charelle, from Watery Road, Ennis, was a back seat passenger in a Volkswagen Polo car, which was involved in a single vehicle accident. She was one of seven people in the car, when it hit a kerb and overturned a number of times.
Mr Quilligan’s solicitor Rachel Dobson said the young man described the day of the accident as “a black day. . . a day that will haunt him for the rest of his life.”
He had played a hurling match that afternoon, before going to a party on the Shanaway Road in Ennis. He then drove into town, giving six people a lift.
“The party was in high spirits. Everyone was in good form. My client didn’t touch any drink. As an act of kindness, he brought a number of people into Ennis. Nobody could have foreseen the tragedy,” said Ms Dobson.
She said her client, who was 17 at the time and an inexperienced driver, accepted that seven people was too many in the car. He didn’t discourage or disallow anyone from getting into the car.
The accused, who has been supported by his parents throughout the case, was waiting his Leaving Certificate results at the time of the accident, and has since starting studying Engineering.
Ms Dobson handed in a number of testimonials on behalf of her client, along with a psychiatrist’s report.
She described him as an “ardent hurler” who plays with the Clare under-21 side.
“He is helpful, mannerly and a role model. He has never been in trouble before. He was a happy-go-lucky person but the events of that day have left an indelible mark on him. He has to bear this for the rest of his life,” she said.
The solicitor said her client wished to apologise to Charelle’s parents, David and Teresa.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said he had no issue with anything said in court, adding that the deceased was also a “model citizen,” and said the accident was “freak.”
Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a fine of €2,000. He disqualified Mr Quilligan from driving for five years, to take effect in September. He took into consideration a charge of overloading.