A MAN drove away from the scene after knocking over a nine-year-old boy and killing him, Donegal Circuit Court heard this week.
Following the collision, which flung the young victim 58 metres away from the point of impact, the accused embarked on a drink and drugs binge.
Sergee Kelly will be sentenced at tomorrow’s sitting of the court on a number of charges including dangerous driving causing the death of Ronan Wilson.
A large number of the young Tyrone boy’s family were in court on Tuesday to hear the harrowing evidence.
Kelly, with an address at Upper Mullaghmore, was charged with the offences at Atlantic Way, Bundoran, on September 23, 2023.
Just before his Skoda Octavia struck the nine year old, the accused had reached speeds of between 105 kms and 111 kms in a 50 km zone.
Detailing evidence, Detective Garda Shane Maye told the court that Gardai had spoken to two pedestrian witnesses who had been walking on Atlantic Way on the night in question.
Maria Roberts and Michael McKinney had observed a car with tinted windows travelling at speed from behind them.
She had indicated that it was going “way too fast” and seconds later they heard a screech and two kids approaching with one of them shouting: “He hit my brother, he hit my brother.”
The young boy was lying on the ground and Ms. Roberts, who was trained in first aid, could find no pulse on his wrist.
Evidence emerged of the car having skidded and blood everywhere around the body of the boy.
On the morning following the fatal collision, she was able to point out the silver Skoda car to Gardai at a caravan park.
Another witness, James Gallagher told Gardai he had been in a mobile home when he heard a bang and a loud scream.
CCTV footage from a number of outlets was downloaded and the accused was observed walking away from the caravan park and rolling a cigarette.
Expert evidence indicated that the tint on the window of the accused’s car would have restricted the driver’s view and because the driver’s seat was reclined in the vehicle he would have been “barely able to hold the steering wheel.”
Had the accused been driving at the required speed limit he would have had two seconds to respond before striking the young boy.
Ronan Wilson’s family had been in Bundoran for the weekend and he and his brother and another boy were returning to their apartment when he was hit by the car.
He was declared dead at the scene and brought to Sligo Hospital where a post mortem took place.
Medical evidence suggested he had suffered a traumatic brain injury leading to his death.
When arrested, clothing and his mobile phone were taken from the accused as investigations continued into the fatal collision.
After leaving the scene, Kelly had gone into Bundoran and visited a number of pubs before meeting friends in a nightclub.
A blood sample taken at Ballyshannon Garda Station, seventeen hours after the collision, showed a concentration of cocaine.
He had admitted taking the drug and smoking a joint after the collision.
Asked how fast he had been driving at the time, Kelly replied: “Not fast, 50k max.”
Three victim impact statements were read out to the court with Ronan’s mother, Emma, saying he had brought “immense joy” to she and her husband, Dean, and his siblings. He enjoyed a wide circle of friends and had a passion for cars and for football.
A new boxing club was opening and he had the potential to excel at that sport.
‘OUR HERO’
Recalling the aftermath of the collision, she spoke of lying beside her son and holding his hand for as long as she could.
Instead of buying gifts for him for special occasions and at Christmas they would be visiting his final resting place.
“He never reached the age of ten and his death has left us and his friends devastated.
“Our son, our hero,” Ronan’s mother declared.
The victim’s aunt, Shannon, said their whole world had fallen apart on September 23, 2023.
“Ronan was so kind he would give you his last slice of pizza even if he was still hungry.”
He had visited her in hospital and never liked to see anyone sad.
“He had the kindest, gentleness heart.”
“My heart breaks more and more. I can’t get out of bed in the morning without thinking that he is lying six feet under.”
She and Ronan and his brother and sister had been planning to go away together but that would not now happen.
“We love you and miss you forever, wee man.”
Grandmother of the young victim, Imelda McCauley described how her life had been shattered and the entire family were going through a nightmare that would never go away.
Ronan had the “heartiest of laughs” and their world had been changed forever following his death.
What justice could there be for the life of her “beautiful wee grandson.”
Summoned to the witness stand by defence counsel, Colm Smyth, S.C., Sergee Kelly told the court he had not wanted any of it to happen. “It shouldn’t happen to any mother or father.”
Accepting full responsibility for his actions, he said he knew it was not going to “bring back the wee boy”.
He was taking medication and anti-depressants and was unable to sleep and had no real life of any kind.
Describing it as a “horrendous accident” which had taken the life of a young boy, Mr Smyth indicated that all he would say was that his client had come forward and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
“It is something that he will have to carry with him for the rest of his life.”
The court heard that Kelly, who had two previous convictions, had been adopted by his parents from Belarus and from an early age had been given a diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case to Friday for sentencing.
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