A Judge has refused to lift a 50-year disqualification on a man who was convicted of dangerous driving causing death.
Paul Boyle already had three driving disqualifications in November 1982 when he drove through a red light on Bull Road, Clontarf, in a stolen car, causing the death of Mr John Byrne.
Boyle (37), St Brigid's Gardens, Dublin, served a three-year jail sentence for the crime and was banned from driving for 50 years.
Proceedings in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court were interrupted yesterday when the victim's widow shouted at Boyle that he had destroyed her family. Mrs Brigid Byrne told Judge Elizabeth Dunne her face had been scarred for life by the crash. Insp. Gerard Harrington said Boyle served a three-year sentence in Mountjoy Prison for dangerous driving causing death. He had 10 convictions up to 1982 and was again convicted for allowing himself to be transported in a stolen car in 1985.
When Boyle told his counsel, Mr Niall Durnin, he was now married with four children, Mrs Byrne stood up and shouted: "They have a father. My family have no father. You've destroyed our lives." Boyle said he was employed repairing jet-skis and needed a full driving licence to get steady employment.
Cross-examined by Mr Fergal Foley, prosecuting, who asked why he repaired the jet-skis in his own garage, Boyle said he was not earning enough as he was unable to collect and deliver them.
Mr John Good said he had a business repairing motorcycles and jet-skis and would have more work for Boyle if he had his licence restored.
Mr Durnin said Boyle had applied to have his licence restored in 1990 and was advised then by Mr Justice Moriarty to apply again in five years. He had waited a further seven years and asked the court to accept he had served a severe punishment for his wrongdoing as well as rehabilitating himself.
Judge Dunne said she was not impressed by Boyle's evidence and said he should reapply in a few years. Boyle left under Garda protection.