A Kerry teenager pleaded guilty yesterday to dangerous driving causing the death of a 64-year-old mother of ten who had been on her way home from bingo in midsummer of 2011 in Castlemaine, Co Kerry.
Gavin Foley (19) of Mounthenry, Firies, Killarney was arraigned at the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee shortly before lunchtime on Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Patricia Clifford on June 21st 2011 at Brackhill, Castlemaine, Co Kerry.
Mrs Clifford’s husband, Martin, was in court to attest to the fact that the family did not want the young man jailed, legal representatives of Mr Foley told the court yesterday.
Anthony Sammon, senior counsel for Mr Foley said his client "deeply regrets " the loss of life of Patricia Clifford.
Garda public service vehicle inspectors had found that the condition of the car, namely three balding tyres “was the cause of this fatality,” said Mr Sammon.
Foley had only bought his car – a 1992 Honda Civic- and had intended doing it up in the next days to prepare for an NCT test, his counsel said.
"The family do not wish this young man to go to jail," Mr Sammon said, adding that Martin Clifford, husband of the deceased, was in court.
Judge Carroll Moran remanded Gavin Foley on bail to April 15th to fix a sentencing date.
Mother of ten Mrs Clifford, of Mountain View, Killorglin, was a front seat passenger in a Toyota Corolla driven by her husband at the time of the collission with the 1992 Honda Civic. She and her husband had been returning from bingo in Castleisland at the time. She died at Cork University Hospital.