Latest: Family of boy killed by drunk driver 'living the nightmare every parent dreads'
The family of a young boy who was killed by a drunk driver said today that they are “disappointed” that the man’s sentence has been reduced on appeal.
Finbarr O’Rourke’s sentence was reduced from seven-and-a-half years to six years today by the Court of Appeal today.
John Browne, solicitor for the Treacy family, said the family is still trying to come to terms with what happened.
On The 5.30, I'm in Portlaoise as Finbar O'Rourke is sentenced for causing death of Ciaran Treacy #TV3News pic.twitter.com/q0W4YgF7KJ
— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalOBrien_) November 3, 2015
“The Traceys are living the nightmare that every parent dreads,” he said.
“They are an ordinary, hardworking family whose lives have been changed forever.
“Words cannot express their anger, their grief, or their revulsion towards the drunk driver who robbed Jillian and Ronan of their beloved son.
Gillian Treacy & her son Ciaran, died at hands of drunk driver in Laois: most powerful story of loss I ever heard pic.twitter.com/JJiQRrvDJh
— Ciaran Mullooly (@ciaranmullooly) October 27, 2015
“Those feelings will not outweigh the love and cherished memories of Ciaran, which sustained them through their darkest hours.”
A drunk driver who killed a young boy in Laois has successfully appealed his seven-and-a-half year sentence today.
Four-year-old Ciaran Treacy died when Finbarr O’Rourke’s car crashed into the car he was travelling in with his mother and older brother in April 2014.
Mr Justice Alan Mahon said Finbarr O’Rourke’s decision to drive on April 17, 2015 after consuming up to 10 pints was a “calculated and callous act”.
The boy’s mother Gillian was driving home from Portlaoise with her two sons when there was a head-on collision between the cars near Portarlington.
Four-year-old Ciaran died, while she suffered severe injuries. Her other son was unhurt.
O’Rourke argued the sentence was too severe and claimed he had been made an example of and was not given enough credit for mitigating factors.
The Court of Appeal felt there was an error in principle and ruled in his favour before applying a fresh sentence of eight years with the final two suspended.
Afterwards, John Browne, solicitor for the Treacy family, said they accepted the outcome with a heavy heart.
