RELATIVES OF the five young people killed in the crash on the Inishowen peninsula told the court of their continuing grief more than three years after the incident.
Representatives of all the families involved gave victim impact statements to the court.
Annette Duffy, Gavin’s mother, said: “When Gavin died part of the family died with him. When we think of him it is always of him laughing and smiling. These memories are what get us through the day.”
Mrs Duffy said it was her daughter’s 15th birthday on the day of the tragedy and each year Gavin’s sister would celebrate her birthday at the same time as commemorating his anniversary.
Darren Quinn’s father Patrick said: “It’s a night we will never forget for the rest of our lives. Everything changed that night.” Mr Quinn, a boxing coach, recalled that sports-lover Darren was full of life and he missed him every time he went to the club to coach young boxers.
He added: “It annoys us that his young life was cut short so tragically.”
Kathleen Steele, David Steele’s aunt, said: “His relationship with Rochelle had made his life complete. His death has left such a void in all of our lives. We miss his coming and going and his presence at the table and his texts. There are no more calls, no more texts.”
Ann Friel, aunt of student and part-time hairdresser Rochelle Peoples, who was an only daughter, said: “She was very happy in her relationship with her boyfriend David [Steele]. She was a free spirit and we miss her every single day of our lives.”
She said Rochelle had been very close to her younger brother Matthew and she always looked out for him and now he was without a sibling.
“She left home that night all dressed up to go out with her friends. Next time we saw her was in a coffin in a morgue”. It had taken Brendan Henderson 3½ years later to plead guilty “and prove our children’s innocence” she said.
William O’Connor, Charlene’s brother, also criticised the defendant. “Henderson could never begin to imagine the pain in our hearts. We understand that accidents can happen to anybody and do. But this is an accident that could have been prevented. We are here today for justice,” he said.
Immediately after sentence Annette Duffy said: “Justice has been served. We initially set out to clear the young people’s names and that has been achieved.”