Patsy pictured with his son Padraig
THE devastated family of Donegal GAA fan Patsy McCroary say the five year sentence handed down to the drunk-driver who killed their father was “too lenient”.
Paul Nicholl, 50, of Carnkenny Road, Newtownstewart, was two and a half times the drink drive limit when the Suzuki car he was driving careered into a car carrying Mr McCroary and his family.
He had just come from a pub after downing two pints of beer and stopping at a shop to buy 12 tins of beer.
The court heard he had been drinking the night before and had taken a diazepam tablet that morning before getting into his car.
Nicholl was jailed on Tuesday at Omagh Crown Court for two-and-a half-years and will serve a further two-and-a-half years on licence on his release.
He has been banned from driving for six years.
Patsy McCroary was affectionately known as ‘Donegal Patsy’ as he was a huge Donegal GAA fan.
He was originally from Upper Art, Castlefin but was living with his family in Castlederg, Co Tyrone.
In a statement, the heartbroken McCroary family called the sentence a “real insult”.
“We feel as a family we have been really let down by the justice system,” the statement said.
It added: “We feel the justice system in regards to drink driving has not just failed our family but failed many families in recent times and will continue to do so until the law changes.
“So how can he take my Dad’s life but have his own back after two-and-a-half years? Where is the justice in this?”
The crash happened near Sion Mills, when Mr McCroary, 62, was travelling towards Strabane with his wife, son and daughter.
The rest of the family- his wife Geraldine, son Padraig and daughter Samanatha – were badly injured, but survived the crash.
Samantha had to be put into an induced coma after suffering a fractured skull.
Nicholl was two-and-a-half-times over the drink-drive limit when he caused the crash in January 2014.
The family statement concluded: “As every day goes by we miss Daddy more and more.
“Paul Nicholl has caused a lot of pain and heartache to our family.
“By his selfish act of drink-driving he has torn our family apart as all dad lived for was his family and GAA.”