A tearful tribute Conor(14) remembered in heart breaking victim impact statement
A HEARTBROKEN mother has told a court of her devastation at the death of her son who was in her car when it collided with a tractor.
Angela Byrne, mother of 14-year-old Conor Byrne, gave an emotional victim impact statement at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court last week where 20-yearold John Redmond of Ballyknocken, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy, had pleaded guilty to careless driving at Ballytarsna Cross, Oulart, causing the death of her son.
‘The loss of Conor has been heartbreaking, it’s the most heartbreaking thing that could happen to anyone or any family. We are left devastated and shattered for he was our precious child, our son. It’s the devastation of having lost Conor in a road accident, for I also lost my mother in such an accident. Conor is gone and will never return again, but we will never forget him.
‘I will never see him growing up,’ she said.
A HEARTBROKEN mother has told a court of her devastation at the death of her son who was in her car when it collided with a tractor.
Angela Byrne, mother of 14-year-old Conor Byrne, gave an emotional victim impact statement at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court last week where 20-year-old John Redmond of Ballyknocken, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy, had pleaded guilty to careless driving at Ballytarsna Cross, Oulart, causing the death of her son.
‘The loss of Conor has been heartbreaking, it’s the most heartbreaking thing that could happen to anyone or any family. We are left devastated and shattered for he was our precious child, our son. It’s the devastation of having lost Conor in a road accident, for I also lost my mother in such an accident. Conor is gone and will never return again, but we will never forget him. We went everywhere together, even to the gym, but that is now all gone. ‘I will never see him growing up,’ she said. Gard Brian Kinsella told Prosecuting Counsel Sinead Gleeson that at approximately 7p.m. on February 18, 2015 he was the first garda at the scene of the accident along with Sg Brendan Moore.
At the scene they discovered that a Honda car driven by Angela Byrne had been in a collision with a New Holland tractor which was towing a plough. The tractor was driven by the defendant, who was 18 years of age at the time.
Garda Kinsella said the Ms Byrne’s son Conor, aged 14, was in the car with her at the time of the accident. ‘Conor (Byrne) was taken to Wexford General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival,’ said Garda Kinsella.
Garda Kinsella said when he spoke to Angela Byrne she told him that as she approached the junction she saw the shape of a tractor, adding that she had the right of way, so she assumed the tractor was stopping. However, the tractor did not stop, colliding with the pasenger side of the car where Conor was seated. Ms Byrne and her family lived very close to Ballytarsna Cross, and was very familiar with the area.
Garda Kinsella also informed the court that the owner of the tractor is facing several charges in relation to the vehicle which are before the District Court.
The defendant John Redmond’s mobile phone records were examined to determine if he was using his phone when the accident occurred but this proved inconclusive.
Replying to Defence Counsel Ms Rosario Boyle, Garda Kinsella said Ms Byrne said she saw his hand up against his face but could not see if he was holding any object.
Ms Boyle told the court that John Redmond had been working for his uncle Pat Sutton who is an agricultural contractor. It was a New Holland tractor carrying a four sod plough at the time which was a powerful tractor. The lights, she said, at the front were turned sideways to assist with the ploughing.
Garda Tom Bolger gave evidence of carrying out a forensic examination of the scene of the accident. He said the tractor was travelling towards the junction with the intention of travelling straight on. He was approaching a yield sign at the time. He also said that he did not see anything on the road surface which would have made a contribution to the accident. He came to the conclusion there was sufficient sight for the driver of the tractor to have seen the car driven by Ms Byrne.
‘The tractor failed to stop at the junction which is my conclusion as to how the accident occurred,’ said Garda Bolger.
Ms Boyle said that Mr. Redmond was in his Leaving Certificate year when the accident occurred while Conor was in the same school, St Mary’s CBS Enniscorthy.
The defendant, said Ms Boyle, is undertaking a course in Limerick, while he’s also undertaken a work placement with Enniscorthy Motor Compny as an apprentice. However he needed his driving licence to enable him continue the course.
Ms Boyle also told the court that she felt there should be a stop sign at the junction. She said that every child is precious but when it is an only child, the loss is far more devastating.
Community Service, said Ms Boyle, would be a viable way of making amends, doing it in a community based where the loss has been caused to the Byrne family.
Judge Barry Hickson said he was tremendously impressed with the victim impact statement of Ms Angela Byrne. John Redmond, he said, is a nice young man but this accident should never have happened. The accident happened through one careless moment. The actions of John Redmond caused Conor’s death and he is now gone from his family while he must carry this burden for the rest of his life.
Judge Hickson said he would adjourn the case to allow for directions from the Probation and Welfare services regarding the defendant’s suitability for community service. However in relation to the disqualification he would order a disqualification from driving for two years.
He adjourned the matter for mention on Tuesday February 14