A 23-year-old man who tearfully told gardai at the scene of a fatal accident near Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo that “I have killed my best friend. I wish it was me” was handed a suspended prison sentence by Judge Eoin Garavan at the Circuit Criminal Court in Castlebar this morning.
Martin Ditchburn, Teeside Cottage, Midfield, Swinford, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing to dangerous driving causing the death of Jason Killeen, 19, Cullatinny, Knock, Co Mayo, at Coolnafarna, Ballyhaunis on September 24, 2020.
Mr. Killeen was a front seat passenger in the newly purchased Silver Honda Accord car when the driver lost control “on a sweeping left hand bend” while the pair were en route late at night to Castlerea to help out a friend who needed jump leads for his vehicle.
