Motorcyclist fatality in Limerick prompts calls at inquest for longer prison sentences
The collision happened in Drombane, Dromkeen in Limerick
A CORONER has endorsed the submissions of the widow of a motorcyclist who died in a road traffic collision, to have sentences for dangerous driving increased and for driving disqualifications to come into effect after a custodial sentence has been served.
The submissions were made at the inquest into the death of Maurice Fehilly who died after a collision involving his motorbike and a van on January 4, 2020 in Drombane, Dromkeen on the Tipperary to Limerick road.
The inquest heard that the van driver involved was convicted of dangerous driving causing death.
Mr Fehilly had been out for a ride with two other friends, Thomas Traynor and Tom Conway. Thomas Traynor was injured in the same collision and subsequently died two years later.
The inquest heard that when gardaí arrived on the scene, remnants of Mr Fehilly’s motorcycle were embedded under the van.
On the day of the collision, Mr Fehilly from Kilsheelan, Clonmel, was the third motorcyclist in a convoy.
One motorist had to swerve in order to avoid the van, which he recalled coming towards him “at speed” and he described the driving as “crazy.”
The force of the collision caused Mr Fehilly’s Harley Davidson bike to come apart in two pieces.
An off-duty sergeant from the army arrived on scene and observed that Mr Fehilly had no vital signs, he administered CPR until ambulance personnel arrived and Mr Fehilly was later pronounced dead.
The cause of death was haemhorrage and shock with multiple fractures of the pelvis and traumatic laceration of the spinal cord consistent with a road traffic collision.
Before the verdict was delivered by Limerick coroner John McNamara, barrister Conor Cahill BL, instructed by Padraic Hayes, representing Maurice Fehilly’s widow Loraine, made submissions.
He said that his client wanted to see penalties for dangerous driving increase from 10 to 14 years imprisonment, to allow the courts to deal with more severe cases appropriately.
He also said that driving disqualifications should take effect from when incarceration finishes, in order to be practical.
Speaking as he delivered a narrative verdict, the coroner said: “It would be an insult to call this an accident - it was not an accident. There was a high level of recklessness and danger involved.”
Given the confines of the coroner’s court, he could not recommend the submissions, but told the family that he agreed with them and fully endorsed them.
Speaking after the verdict, Loraine Fehilly said: “I welcome that the coroner endorsed my submissions for an increased sentence for dangerous driving from 10 to 14 years and recognised that it is illogical for a driving disqualification to run concurrently with a custodial sentence.”
“Tougher penalties are needed to act as a deterrent to reckless driving in an effort to prevent other families going through the heartbreak that we and many more have had to endure.”