A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in jail and banned from driving for 40 years, after the death of a French man in Cork city four years ago.
Martin Linehan from Coachford in Cork pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including one of dangerous driving causing the death of 25-year-old Gabriel Lege at George's Quay on 31 October 2013.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard the van driver had smoked cannabis, snorted cocaine and drank at least 15 pints of beer before knocking down and killing Mr Lege.
The court heard Linehan was working on a building site in London in July when he was arrested on a European arrest warrant and brought back to Cork.
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said: "Normally the dead have no one to speak for them but there are a number of relevant witnesses to the facts here and CCTV."
He added: "After, in what is a seriously aggravating factor, he did not stop. The vehicle front and back rolled over the deceased. The person in the passenger seat asked him to stop. He certainly did not stop. His behaviour then and after is entirely the behaviour of a person who had only one consideration - himself."
He continued: "The manner in which he left the scene is chilling to the point of frightening, that he could have so much disregard for another human being."
The court heard Linehan failed to appear for trial for another offence in the UK after being released on bail.
He then travelled to South Africa and Dubai before returning to England.
Judge Ó Donnabháin said Linehan refused to cooperate on one occasion when contacted by gardaí by phone to interview him in relation to the case.
He said Linehan was motivated by self-preservation since the night of the fatal incident.
In a victim impact statement addressed to her son and read to the court, Gabriel Lege's mother, Sylvie, said: "Your friends, your colleagues, the population of Cork were deeply affected and touched by this incident. They put in place a last homage to you, organising a goodbye ceremony in Cork.
She added: "Such compliments and such praise that I heard - about you my son - courageous, intelligent, shining, always ready to help others, always happy.
"Words fail me, there is still so much to say, about you, my little one, you have left too early. I love you and I am proud to have had a son like you. You loved life so much, you will live through me. I am going to take your strength to continue to live. Goodbye."
