Man lef t severely injured by drink driver ‘harbours no bad feelings’

A MAN who suffered lifechanging injuries after he was hit by a drink-driver who was four times over the legal limit said yesterday he has no bad feelings towards him.

The driver, Graeme Griffin, 30, pleaded guilty to drink driving and careless driving causing serious harm to traditional musicians Liam Joyce and Liam Lyons.

Ennis Circuit Court heard the collision took place just over a hump-back bridge between McGann’s and McDermott’s pubs in the Co. Clare village of Doolin on March 1, 2015.

In his victim impact statement, badly injured Mr Joyce, from Burnfoot in Co. Donegal, said he was grateful to still be alive.

He told the court: ‘I have a positive outlook on the future and I want to put all of this behind me and move on.

‘I have no bad feelings towards Graeme Griffin and I hope that he has learned from his mistake.’

In his statement, Mr Joyce said he suffered compound fractures in his leg bones, the tibia and fibula, had no memory for two days after the crash and had six operations on his right leg as a result of his injuries. He also suffered a fractured jaw.

He said: ‘I couldn’t eat solids for eight week. I still have permanent swelling on my right jaw. I spent the next eight weeks in three different hospitals and a nursing home as I was incapable of independent living. My prognosis is that I am going to have arthritis in my right leg and it’s painful on a daily basis.

‘At the time of the accident I was working but I haven’t worked since and it’s unlikely I will due to the severity of my injuries.’

Mr Joyce said he had 12 pins inserted in the bone of his right leg as well as a bone graft due to an infection.

The court heard Mr Lyons suffered a broken collar bone, severe bruising to his left leg and a broken bone in his right foot.

In his victim impact statement, Mr Lyons, from Victoria Road, Cork, said: ‘I would like to say that I don’t wish Graeme Griffin any ill will. I know that he didn’t do it intentionally.’

Pat Whyms, defending, praised the victims’ generosity.

He said: ‘Both suffered significant injuries arising out of the accident and, in one case, ongoing consequences.

‘Mr Griffin doesn’t know them and has had no contact with them. They have ongoing civil proceedings against Mr Griffin.’

Mr Whyms added the men will be fully compensated.

He said: ‘Too often in this court you have victim impact statements alleging that their lives have been ruined by minor events and it is very refreshing and to be lauded that these gentlemen have adopted such a generous approach.’

Griffin, of Doolin village, Co. Clare, faces an automatic threeyear ban due to the level of alcohol involved and was bailed for sentencing next month.

‘I hope he learned from his mistake’