A man has been given a three-year suspended sentence for dangerous driving causing the death of a great-grandmother.
Patrick Rhattigan (25), Rahanine Manor, Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath, was found guilty by a jury last week of causing the death of Susan Griffith (76), a mother of six, in November 2009 outside Mullingar.
At Tullamore Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Terry O’Sullivan disqualified him from driving for eight years and gave him a three- year suspended sentence for driving a defective vehicle which had four odd tyres, including one that was bald. Another was dangerously underinflated and led to Rhattigan losing control on a bend, causing him to hit Ms Griffith.
In a statement, her family said Rhattigan had been lucky to survive and they hoped he used his chance at life to honour their mother by living the best life he could and by being the best father and partner he could.
