THE FAMILY of an 81-year-old woman who died hours after being knocked down by a speeding teenage driver appealed for leniency in the case because of the victim's forgiving nature, Galway District Court has heard.
Nora Smyth, of Dr Mannix Road, Salthill, Galway, was knocked down as she crossed the road to her home on November 8th last year. She died the following morning in hospital.
Her children asked the court to be lenient towards the accused, Alan Murphy, of Cashel Mara, Knocknacarra, Salthill, Galway, who pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving in relation to the fatal incident.
Insp Seán Glynn said yesterday that Mrs Smyth had been on her way home after doing her shopping when she was knocked down at about 6pm. He said that following an examination of the scene it was calculated that the accused was driving at 69.5 km/h in a 50 km/h speed limit zone.
Insp Glynn explained that when a file on the matter was being sent to the DPP's office by gardaí the family of the late Mrs Smyth asked that a letter accompany it which expressed the family's forgiving attitude towards the accused.
The letter also stated that the family felt there were contributing factors which might have led to the incident, including the absence of adequate street lighting, which, they said, may have made conditions more hazardous.
The court heard that Murphy, who is a third-year student at NUIG, had written a letter of apology to the Smyth family.
Judge Mary Fahy convicted and fined Murphy €1,000 for careless driving.