A 26-year-old man who was awaiting trial on a drink driving charge when he drove under the influence of alcohol and killed his best friend in a tragic accident, has been jailed for three years.
Eoghan O'Callaghan, Enaghmore, Fedamore, Co Limerick,pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Jason Nash (22), Garryellen, Fedamore, Co Limerick, on May 1st, 2006 at Fedamore Cross, Co Limerick.
Just six months prior to causing the death of his friend O'Callaghan was arrested on suspicion of drink driving in Castleisland, Co Kerry, and in November 2006 he was disqualified from driving for two years, the court heard.
Yesterday a sister of Jason Nash, who happened to be one of the first people to come upon the scene of the accident, described her late brother to the court as a "lovely young fellow who was kind and generous".
"We are all heart broken especially mum and dad and we miss him very much," said Fidelma Nash.
O'Callaghan admitted to gardaí that he had consumed seven or eight pints of beer on the night of the accident and the court heard how blood tests showed he was over twice the legal alcohol limit for driving.
Jason Nash had not been drinking on the night of the crash, and was at home watching TV when his friend called for him.
Mr Nash's mother told gardaí that her son was due to start a new job the following day. The 22-year-old was a front seat passenger in O'Callaghan's Hiace van when it lost control and hit a wall.
A man who arrived at the scene told gardaí that he observed the accused man helping his friend before he left the scene saying "I have to get out of here".
Judge Carroll Moran described the case as "extremely tragic" and said there was nothing he could do that would bring the deceased man back.
He jailed O'Callaghan for three years but agreed to an application by the defence that his client be allowed one week to make financial arrangements for his partner and young child, before starting his sentence.