The family of a man who died after a car driven by a college friend hit a kerb after he misjudged a corner have said that their lives have been destroyed following his death.
Sean Fitzpatrick was jailed this afternoon for 18 months after he admitted dangerous driving causing the death of Adam Kirwan.
Mr Kirwan's sister, Marie, said in her victim impact statement that there were "no words to comprehend the depth of her grief".
"2 March 2023 at 6.03am, the morning that haunts me every single day, the phone call my daddy had to give me, asking me to come home, Adam has been in an accident," said Ms Kirwan.
"Getting out of the bed that morning, losing the power in my legs, dropping straight to the floor ... I will never forget walking through my back door at home and the look on both my parents faces that my worst nightmare was happening. I will never forget roaring 'no, no, no.'"
Ms Kirwan described Fitzpatrick's letter of apology to her family, which was received two weeks before the court date, as "unremorseful".
"I do not accept it ... I have, for the last two years, seen you get on with your life like my brother didn't matter.
"Well, my brother matters today, yesterday and for the rest of my time in this world. I will never accept your apology for taking my brother's life," she said.
Ms Kirwan said that Fitzpatrick was not a true friend of Mr Kirwan.
"We as a family don't know you. But one thing we are sure of, a good friend of Adam’s would have come and given us an explanation to what happened on that night.
"You took the law and Adam’s life into your own hands when you drove his car ... You took Adam's voice when you drove his car, and you killed him. Nobody else’s decision but your own. Not a good friend of Adam’s," she said.
Ms Kirwan also read a statement on behalf of her mother Lourda, who said that the person responsible "has to answer for his actions", but there is "no punishment that would serve as justice for my son's life".
"Adam's life was precious, he was adored by all his family and friends. His death has left a void in our lives that will never be filled, you will be remembered forever, Adam, our beloved son.
"Almost daily, we hear of families thrown into despair with the senseless deaths of their beloved sons, daughters, parents, all through the careless actions of others, robbing people of their lives. They depend on their loved ones to stand up and be the voice they deserve to see justice is done.
"No family wants to be in this horrendous situation, trying to get up, facing the days and nights without their precious loved ones, praying that justice will be done.
"Hopefully, road users will stop and think before driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances, it only takes a split second and lives are shattered and altered forever," she concluded.
