Man jailed for three months after car collision that killed woman

A man whose vehicle collided with two women - killing a mother who was in a wheelchair and seriously injuring her daughter - was sentenced to three months in prison at Athlone District Court yesterday. On Mother"s Day, March 18, 2007, William Byrne (24) of Bolart, Clara, was driving to a match when he collided with the two women, June Robbins and her mother Mrs Gilbert, who were out walking in the vicinity of a four roads junction on the Moate Road out of Ballycumber. Garda Dreehan told the court that when she arrived at the scene of the incident at 12.40pm she found the two victims on the road and the defendant"s vehicle facing towards Moate on the incorrect side of the road. Mrs Gilbert"s wheelchair was imbedded in the car, the Garda said. The court was told that Mrs Gilbert died as a result of the accident and her dauther suffered serious injuries. A statement from the family was presented to Judge David Anderson. The defendant"s solicitor Dermot Scanlon said his client wished to issue a profound apology and to extend his deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased. He had been driving 'slightly too fast' at the time of the incident, had put his foot on the brakes when he saw the two women but the car then skidded and he lost control of the vehicle, the solicitor said. 'He"s obviously deeply affected by this and it"s a guilt he"ll have to keep with him for the rest of his days,' said the solicitor. Inspector Paul Cuttle told the court that the family wished to accept the apology Mr Byrne had offered. Judge Anderson said it was very noble of the family to do so in the circumstances. The court was told the defendant had no previous convictions and was an unemployed single man with a small child. The judge stated that having seen photos of the scene of the incident and having heard what happened it was clear to him that this 'couldn"t possibly have been an accident in the true sense of the word'. He said Mr Byrne had 'collided with these two unfortunate ladies due to his inability to drive a motor car properly'. He stated that he hoped the apology which the family accpeted would bring a sense of finality to all those affected by the case. He took into account Mr Byrne"s lack of previous convictions and the fact that he pleaded guilty at an early stage. Mr Byrne was sentenced to three months in prison, was fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for five years after being convicted of careless driving under Section 52 of the Road Traffic Act. Recognisance was fixed on his own bond of €500, with half to be lodged in cash and the judge also ordered an independent surety of €2,000 with half to be lodged in cash. The defendant was also convicted of driving without insurance on the date in question and was fined €750 and disqualified from driving for two years for this offence.