A man who has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of eight people in Inishowen in 2010 will be sentenced today.
Shaun Kelly arriving at Letterkenny Circuit court earlier this year. (c) North West Newspix
Shaun Kelly, 25, was the driver of a car which killed seven of his friends and the driver of another car in July 2010.
Kelly, 25, of Hill Head, Buncrana appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court last July as did the families of those who died in the crash outside Clonmany.
Mr Kelly had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge and a jury panel of six men and six woman was then sworn in.
However when the case was due to commence, Mr Kelly asked to be re-arraigned and changed his plea to guilty.
Judge John O’Hagan released Mr Kelly on his bail until today’s court hearing.
He ordered all the appropriate medical reports be carried out on Mr Kelly.
Judge O’Hagan then addressed members of the families who had come to court.
He told them “Something distressing but positive has happened and I hope it gives you some closure on the affair.”
He then informed them of Mr Kelly’s decision to plead guilty.
He then asked each family to provide a victim impact statement which are scheduled to be presented at today’s court sitting.
He also asked each family to nominate one family member to read out that report at today’s hearing.
The men who died in the crash on July 11th, 2010 were Hugh Friel (66), Urris, Clonmany, Eamon McDaid (22) of Ballymagan, Buncrana; Mark McLaughlin, (21) of Ballinahone, Fahan; Paul Doherty (19), of Ardagh, Ballyliffin; Ciaran Sweeney (19), of Ballyliffin; PJ McLaughlin (21), of Rockstown, Burnfoot; James McEleney (23), of Meenaduff, Clonmany and Damien McLaughlin (21), of Umricam, Buncrana.
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