The 30-year-old defendant was given a concurrent ten months jail sentence
A front seat passenger, who has been left in a wheelchair after a horrific car crash near Enniskillen, has been speaking of the devastating effects of a road traffic incident in which he was involved, four and a half years ago.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Brian Brough said he had only 10% use of his arms, and needed a motorised wheelchair because he could not push a manual one.
The victim added that a long- term relationship he was in at the time of the accident had ended and his long term plans for the future was no impossible which was very upsetting.
The injured party said he needed constant care and could not even brush his teeth and his mother could barely leave the family home as he needed constant care.
He had a full life before the accident but all was now utterly changed.
The driver of the vehicle, Brian Francis Corrigan, Drumbrughas, Macken, was given a ten months jail sentence for causing grievous bodily harm to Brian Brough by driving without due care and attention at Loughshore Road, Enniskillen on September 4 2010.
The 30-year-old defendant was given a concurrent ten months jail sentence for causing grievous bodily harm to Ciaran Kelly by driving without due care and attention at Loughshore Road Enniskillen on September 4 2010.
The defendant, who pleaded guilty to both charges, was also given concurrent driving bans of two years by Judge Melody McReynolds at Dungannon Crown Court.
The injuries happened when Corrigan’s car struck a wall and hurtled through the air after he tried to overtake another vehicle on a sharp blind bend on the road between Enniskillen and Belleek.
The court heard the defendant had then “fled justice” to Australia in 2012 and was returned home on an international warrant last year.
All three were plasterers and former friends, the court heard.
The other injured passenger, Ciaran Kelly’s victim impact stated the perceived lack of a statement of remorse from the driver had been “difficult to bear”.
This victim said he was unable to work for some time and had disturbed sleep patterns and suffered from bruising and restricted movement in his left hand for some time and was nervous travelling in a car.
Prosecutor Mr Reid told the court the accident happened when Corrigan tried to overtake another car on a steep bend while travelling from Belleek to Enniskillen on the shore road.
One witness, a Mr Scott, said he met the defendant’s car coming around a bend and it went out of control shortly after it went past him.
The defendant lost control of the car as it struck a wall, went airborne and landed in roadside foliage.
Mr Reid said the defendant had told the witnesses at the scene, “Don’t call the police”.
The prosecutor said alcohol was not a factor in the crash as the defendant had passed a police roadside evidential test.
Mr Reid said the extradition process was initially challenged in Australia, but the defendant, who also had a criminal record in that country, had later come home.
Defence counsel Des Fahy, instructed by Garry Smyth of Fahy Corrigan Solicitors, said one of his client’s friends had suffered catastrophic and life changing injuries while another friend had significant injuries.
The counsel added that expressions of regret are difficult in the middle of a criminal trial.
But the counsel was instructed to express his client’s regret and apologies for what happened.
“He is deeply sorry for what happened”.
Mr Fahy added from the outset that no attempt was made to evade responsibility.
His client was a 30 year-old man who has worked consistently and had a good work ethic.
And since his return from Australia he had been working part time as a plasterer.
Judge McReynolds noted the defendant had a “penchant for reckless behaviour in the past”.
She added that the driver’s airbag gave the defendant some protection in the aftermath of the incident. He had 23 previous convictions, two of which were for road traffic offences.
After taking all matters into consideration Judge McReynolds imposed concurrent 10 months jail sentences and concurrent two year driving bans. The driving ban would have been greater but for the defendant’s age, the court heard.
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