'We now know there are fates worse than death' - family of retired GP left brain-damaged by hit-and-run driver as culprit jailed

Patrick Sweeney, a 20-year-old driver, was sentenced to five years in prison, with one year suspended, for dangerous driving that resulted in severe injuries to retired GP Dr. Paul Carney. Sweeney was under the influence of drugs while driving a defective vehicle at an average speed of 115 km/h, leading to a collision with the cyclist. Judge Eoin Garavan emphasized the life-altering consequences of the incident, ultimately banning Sweeney from driving for 10 years.

"An uninsured driver, who was under the influence of drugs while driving a defective vehicle at speed and who caused 'life-changing, catastrophic injuries' to a retired GP, has been jailed."

"Judge Eoin Garavan at Castlebar Circuit Court sentenced Patrick Sweeney (20) of Claremorris Road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, to five years with one suspended and banned him from driving for 10 years for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Castlebar GP Dr Paul Carney."

Read at Independent