The family of a nine-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Co Donegal two years ago have said that they are devastated by the sentence the driver involved received.
Sergee Kelly, of Upper Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, was sentenced to five years in prison and disqualified from driving for 20 years, after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Ronan Wilson on 23 September 2023 at Atlantic Way, Bundoran in Co Donegal.
After the sentencing, Ronan's uncle Stephen MacAuley read out a statement on behalf of the family.
"We're devastated by the sentence given today," he said.
"No sentence could ever bring Ronan back, but five years for the life of our boy is truly pathetic."
He described Kelly as a "remorseless coward".
"Sergee Kelly mowed down our wee boy, and with this he drove a knife through our hearts. He then fled the scene, a remorseless coward," Mr MacAuley said.
"They [he] then partied the night away while our child lay dying in the street. In doing this, he turned a knife and our family has been in agony ever since.
"The sentence handed out today doesn't ease our pain in any way."
Mr MacAuley continued: "We believe this sends the wrong message to other young people who drive vehicles in a reckless way - a blight suffered by communities up and down the country, and particularly in Donegal."
He said the family needed come time to come to terms with the loss of Ronan.
"He was a force of nature.
"We'll miss him beyond measure and he leaves a void that can never be filled."
