A 38-year-old man from Co Sligo has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison and disqualified from driving for eight years for driving while intoxicated and dangerous driving causing death.
Anthony Connolly, 52, a well-known local photographer and community figure from Riverstown, Co Sligo was killed instantly when his e-scooter was struck by a van driven by Colin Harte, 38, on a rural road in the townland of Rusheen, east Sligo on 25 October 2023.
In a statement to RTÉ News, the family of Mr Connolly said Judge Kenneth Connolly "has recognized that there must be accountability for what happened - that actions have consequences and taking a life in such a reckless manner cannot go unpunished".
"There are no winners here today. No sentence will ever bring Anthony back. For us, he is gone forever, our hearts are broken, and our lives will never be the same again."
Sligo Circuit Criminal Court heard Mr Harte, a married father of a one-year-old son, admitted to drinking six pints of alcohol in the hours before the fatal crash.
The Court was shown CCTV in which Mr Harte drove to a pub in Ballygawley and drank four pints of alcohol within 48 minutes before leaving to visit another pub in nearby Riverstown, where he admitted to drinking two more pints.
He was driving a Volkswagen caddy van at a speed of 130 kilometres per hour (km/h) in an 80km/h zone about 175 meters from the location of the crash along the L1303 and was unable to negotiate the bend on which the crash occurred at 8.11pm on 25 October 2023.
The court heard Mr Connolly was driving his e-scooter driver in the correct lane and that he was wearing a helmet and a high visibility jacket with lights at the time of the crash.
The crash occurred at the apex of a bend where there were no lane markings, reflective road markings or lighting at the location.
A forensic collision investigator calculated that Mr Harte was driving at a speed of more than 91km/h at the point of impact with the caveat the calculation could be significantly underestimated.
Mr Harte's vehicle failed to stop for 56 meters after the point of impact until it collided with the wall of a shed after going through a perimeter wall.
An autopsy found Mr Connolly's death was due to multiple injuries in a road traffic accident.
The Court heard Mr Connolly and Mr Harte were well known to each other.
Mr Connolly attended Mr Harte’s wedding almost three years to the day of the fatal crash. Mr Harte played under Mr Connolly when he managed a local football team.
Sergeant Helen Munnelly said Mr Connolly was a man who had a very good personality and was immersed in the local community and sport. He lived down the road from where the incident occurred.
Mr Connolly had been to the Shamrock Gaels GAA pitch on the evening he died.
The Court heard the evening of the crash was dark and damp. Those present immediately after the tragic crash checked Mr Connolly’s hand for a pulse but did not find one.
Garda Ciarán Feeney carried out a breath test on Mr Harte at the scene for the presence of alcohol which he failed.
Garda Feeney said Mr Harte was taken to Sligo hospital after the fatal crash.
Garda Feeney requested a urine sample from Mr Harte, which showed an alcohol level of 172 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine, more than two and half times the legal limit of 67 mg alcohol per 100ml of urine.
Mr Harte met Sergeant Munnelly by appointment at Ballymote Garda Station on 24 November 2023.
He brought a pre-prepared statement and a handwritten note, a letter by way of apology to the Connolly family, which was sent to one of Mr Connolly’s brothers - who did not wish to accept it. The apology was retained by gardaí.
Mr Harte admitted sole and exclusive responsibility for the tragedy, and he also admitted to drinking and driving. He pleaded guilty to both charges on 10 December 2024 when the case was first listed.
Victim impact statements read by Mr Connolly’s siblings this afternoon recounted the devastating impact the loss of their brother has had on them.
Bridie Gallagher, a sister of Mr Connolly said her brother was tragically killed in a senseless act that was completely preventable.
Mrs Gallagher said their family grappling with grief that has been unbearable. She said her brother had a closed coffin due to the impact of the crash, something which has haunted her.
She said there will never be another Anthony Connolly and he will never be forgotten in Riverstown and recounted that he was a beloved member of Shamrock Gaels, Sligo GAA and Sligo Rovers.
She recounted how the Irish Football Association paid tribute to her brother last June when the Republic of Ireland soccer team defeated Hungary at the Aviva Stadium.
Mr Connolly’s two brothers had a joint victim impact statement read to the court in which they talked about a "brilliant brother, who was a regular at every game with his camera".
They said it was a large regret that their brother could not have an open coffin so people could see him one last time.
They said Mr Connolly’s nieces say a prayer every day they pass the location where their uncle was killed.
Anne Mc Kenna, a sister of Mr Connolly said her brother was killed by Mr Harte on the evening of 25 October 2023 because of a selfish decision.
She said Mr Harte made a choice that night and because of him, her brother paid the ultimate price.
Another family member said Mr Connolly’s infectious laughter always lit up the lives of those he encountered. He said he hopes someday Mr Harte will truly understand the pain he caused.
Mr Harte told the court he had not consumed alcohol since the night of the fatal road traffic incident and that his mental health suffered significantly after the crash.
He said: "To the Connolly family, there are no words to truly express how deeply sorry I am. I will never forgive myself. I did not intend to cause harm. I do not expect any of your forgiveness.
"If I could trade places with Anthony, I would. I am sorry for the pain and sorrow I brought upon everyone who knew Anthony.
"I take full responsibility for what I done… I will never stop wishing things had been different that day… I am truly sorry."
Three-character references were handed into the court. When passing judgment, Judge Connolly extended condolences to the Connolly family.
Judge Connolly said: "It was unnecessary that Anthony died in the way that he did."
Judge Connolly said: "If it weren’t for the deliberate and conscious choice of Mr Harte, in choosing to have alcohol and in choosing to drive his motor vehicle in the manner in which he drove, chances are Anthony would’ve been with his family today."
The court noted that Mr Harte had no previous convictions and that he cooperated at the scene of the accident, in the hospital after the fatal crash and when gardaí requested. He has not drunk alcohol since the fatal crash.
Justice Conolly said Mr Harte has brought about ruin on himself and his family.
"It must be crushing for any parent to miss out on the formative years of their child’s life," he said.
