A doctor who was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of an 18-year-old student was jailed for nine months at Trim Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.
The court also heard that the Medical Council is likely to have him struck off the medical register as a consequence of his conviction.
Following a three-day trial in February this year, Al Moroney (62) of Baltreasna, Ashbourne, Co Meath, was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Hugh Gallagher at Harlockstown, Ashbourne, on March 24th, 2001.
Moving testimonies to the deceased were given in court yesterday by his elder sister, Ciara, and his father, Rory.
His sister, who was 20 when he died, said: "I still love and miss my little brother; it is his memory that gives me the courage to live my life."
She said she felt hate and anger that she did not know it was possible to feel after his death, but was told the emotions equalled the love she had had for her brother.
She described the trial as having "prolonged my agony" and thanked the jury "for the verdict we needed to hear". She also said that the night before his death Hugh had refused to drive her to meet friends because of heavy fog, saying he would not be able to live without her if anything happened.
His father said it was difficult to explain the loss the family had felt. His son was irreplaceable, and the whole family has been emotionally scared.
The family heard how Moroney's car went out of control and crashed into the car carrying the deceased, who lived in Broad-meadow Green, Ashbourne.
He had just turned 18 and was studying at DIT in Kevin Street, Dublin. He was driving with his friend, fellow student, Mr Barry McLoughlin, to the cinema in Blanchardstown.
Mr McLoughlin said at the trial that about two seconds before the vehicles collided he saw in the corner of his vision "something I knew shouldn't be there".
The jury heard that Moroney had had some wine, two shandies and a gin and tonic before leaving a local golf club to drive home.
After the accident the cars were 190 feet apart. Mr McLoughlin's car was in a ditch, the doctor's in a field. Around two hours later Mr Gallagher died.
A cardiac surgeon, Mr Maurice Nelligan, giving evidence for the defence, said: "Al Moroney is one of the best GPs and doctors I have had the privilege to know in my life."
He said the accident was a complete catastrophe for him and his family "that this should happen at the end of such a caring career".
Passing sentence, Judge Raymond Groarke said the case exemplified the complexities of sentencing. He was satisfied the accused had a real concept of the hurt he had caused to the family of the deceased and his own family.
He imposed a nine-month jail term, disqualified Maroney from driving for eight years and ordered his licence endorsed. Leave to appeal was refused.