A 63-year-old man has been fined €1,500 and disqualified from driving for four years for his involvement in a road crash that caused the death of a three-year-old girl.
Truck driver Senan O'Flaherty of Lower Gowerhass, Cooraclare, Co Clare, pleaded guilty last November to careless driving causing the death of Estlin Wall and seriously injuring her father in Clare three years ago.
On 15 March 2017, Estlin was being driven by her dad, Vincent, from their home in Ennistymon to her crèche in nearby Inagh.
O'Flaherty was travelling in the opposite direction and made what was described as a bad move to pull out from behind a bus on that stretch of road.
As a result of that manoeuvre, Mr Wall's car mounted a grass verge and lost control, causing catastrophic injuries to his little girl and life-changing injuries to himself.
Estlin died a number of days later at Temple Street Children's University Hospital and her organs were donated to save two other lives.
Her father had to be placed in an induced coma and missed his daughter’s funeral. He still suffers the after-effects of the collision.
Giving their victim impact statements at a recent court hearing, Estlin’s mother, Amy Wall, said her daughter was their adored and cherished little girl, who lit up a room with her golden yellow curls.
In a split second they lost everything in what she described as an absolutely unnecessary car crash caused by an impatient driver.
Mr Wall said he was living in a dark fog now and drifting through the seasons and he would trade his life with death if Estlin could have lived.
At a sentencing hearing at Ennis Circuit Court today, Judge Gerald Keyes said this was a tragic case and nothing the court could do would relieve the despair caused by Estlin's death and the serious injury caused to Mr Wall.
Having considered the matter, he regarded the offence to be at the mid to lower end of the spectrum.
There was no speed or alcohol involved and O'Flaherty's truck was in good condition.
He imposed a fine of €750 on two counts and disqualified O'Flaherty from driving for four years.
Estlin's parents, who are expecting their third child in May, said they were very disappointed with the sentence.
They said they must now look to the future and move on with their lives.
