A hit-and-run driver whose careless driving caused the death of a 14-year-old boy in 2011 has asked the Circuit Criminal Court to restore his licence after he served just over half of a 20-year driving ban.
The court heard that the family of the victim is objecting to the restoration of the licence.
Ruadhan Tracey, previously of Dunshaughlin in Co Meath, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of Conor Hickey at Faussagh Road in Cabra on 2 December 2011.
When the case came to court in 2014, the 43-year-old was sentenced to 20 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 20 years.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Mr Hickey was on his way to meet a friend when he was hit by the car Tracey was driving.
Tracey and another man were on their way to buy drugs at the time.
Witnesses said the car "appeared to come from nowhere" and was travelling at speed.
Tracey was tracked down some weeks later and immediately admitted his involvement and said he had taken his eye off the road for one second when he heard a bang.
He said he panicked because he had no licence or insurance and had a history of drug addiction.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Tracey told Judge Orla Crowe that listening to the prosecution outline his history of offending was "difficult to hear".
"It sounded like they were talking about another person. I did some terrible things, I wish I could change it but I can't. All I can do is try to live the rest of my life to the best of my ability".
Tracey said he had not been in trouble since 2018 and submitted documents to the court outlining the steps he had taken to tackle his issues with drugs.
He said he had an offer of employment and having a driving licence would be advantageous.
Prosecuting counsel Peter Le Vert told the court Mr Hickey's family was objecting to the restoration of Tracey’s licence.
He said the driving ban was the only "effective punishment" as Tracey has served his 20-month sentence for the offence at the same time as an eight-year sentence for an unrelated offence.
He said he had a total of 54 previous convictions, some of which were for offences carried out after the death of Mr Hickey.
Mr Le Vert said once half of a driving ban had elapsed, an application can be made to have the licence restored.
Judge Crowe adjourned a decision to next week after asking the prosecution to make submissions in relation to the law on the restoration of driving licences.
