A Donegal teenager has been sentenced to seven years in jail for dangerous driving causing death of a Garda.
Garda Robbie McCallion from Swinford, Co Mayo, died in hospital after being struck by a car driven by Jamie McGrenaghan at Tara Court in Letterkenny in March 2009.
Jamie McGrenaghan, 19, from Kerrykeel, Co Donegal, had pleaded guilty to the charge and Judge John O'Hagan today sentenced him to seven years, with the final year suspended.
Judge O'Hagan also sentenced him to five years for recklessly endangering the lives of two other gardaí who were on duty with Garda McCallion, Joanne Doherty and Shane Lavelle.
Another three-year sentence was imposed for stealing a car on the same night but all three sentences are to run concurrently.
Last week, Mr McGrenaghan was found not guilty of the manslaughter of Garda McCallion.
McCallion family issues statement
The family of Garda Robbie McCallion has said that it is vitally important that gardaí are adequately protected when they are carrying out their duty.
They said it is particularly important that there are appropriate safeguards in place to ensure that the fate that befell Robert does not happen again.
In a statement issued after the sentencing of Jamie McGrenaghan this afternoon, the McCallion family asked the question ‘they protect us, who is going to protect them?’
Garda McCallion's brother-in-law Marty Roughneed read the family statement outside Letterkenny Circuit Court.
‘To say the least, he said, we are heartbroken at the circumstances in which he lost his life - something which should never have happened.
‘Gardaí, as Robert did, often put themselves in situations where they risk life and limb and it is vitally important that they are adequately protected.’
