Ciaran Keating tragically died in a car accident on July 15, 2023, when his vehicle was struck head-on by Dean Harte, whose inattention caused him to cross the central line. Harte received a 17-month suspended sentence and was banned from driving for two years after pleading guilty. Victim impact statements revealed that the Keating family, particularly son Conall, felt their lives were shattered and unable to forgive Harte. Despite cannabis traces in Harte's system, speed was not a factor in the collision, highlighting the randomness of such tragedies.
The court heard that Harte, through inattention, did not correctly undertake a left-hand curve in the road and crossed the centre line into the path of the car that was being driven by Mr Keating.
In a victim impact statement read by Mr Keating's son Conall, the family said their lives were shattered and they could not forgive Harte.
Judge Eoin Garavan said it was not a factor in his sentencing, as Harte and his passenger said it had been sent when he left Mullingar but only delivered at that point.
Forensic investigators found speed was not a factor in the collision and Harte had no alcohol in his system.
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