A man convicted of offences relating to a fatal hit-and-run, which resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy in Co Kildare two years ago, has been jailed for five years and nine months.
Marin Silaghi, 41, a Romanian national with an address in Ballybrittas, Co Laois, left the scene of the incident which happened just 250 metres from the home of the teenage victim, Kedagh Moore.
Judge Elva Duffy said the family had lost a wonderful boy and there was nothing she could say or do to change what happened.
Naas Circuit Court heard how Kedagh Moore was an “adored son and beloved brother” and the tragedy had impacted the whole community.
In June a jury of six women and six men found Silaghi guilty of four charges relating to the hit-and-run which happened when Kedagh Moore was out walking on the Allenwood to Prosperous road at around 12.40am on 10 November 2024.
Silaghi was found guilty of failing to stop, failing to offer assistance at the scene of the crash, with the intention of evading criminal and/or civil liability and failing to remain at the scene.
The jury also found Silaghi guilty of a fourth charge of driving a vehicle which he knew or ought to have known was dangerously defective.
The trial heard Silaghi had told gardaí that damage to his van had been caused by a deer, after he was stopped at a checkpoint in Carbury a few hours after the collision.
He then said he did not know the exact location of the crash.
Detective Garda Christine Brady told the court that after his arrest, Silaghi then told gardaí that he had heard a loud bang while driving which sounded like a rock, but stated he did not believe he had hit a person.
The court heard the fatal collision occurred after Silaghi had visited a friend’s house where he consumed coffee, food and whiskey.
Evidence was heard that Silaghi was driving within the speed limit when the fatal collision occurred.
Detective Garda Brady agreed with counsel for the DPP, Jordan Fletcher BL, that the scene was dark with no public lighting and the victim was wearing dark clothing.
Kedagh Moore was walking on the Allenwood to Prosperous road on 10 November 2024 when he was struck by a van
Victim impact statements tell of ‘utter devastation’ of family
The court heard victim impact statements from the family of Kedagh Moore who spoke of their “utter devastation”.
Kedagh’s mother, Glenda Moore, described the pain she endured as a result of what happened and said her son was “left lying face down on the road” to die alone.
She said she struggled with the reality that her son might have called out for her and the belief that she failed to be there for him.
She said that instead of trying to pick a suit for a school social event “we had to pick his coffin”.
Ms Moore described Silaghi’s actions as “a violation and self-serving exploitation of my child’s dignity and value” and said her belief in humanity had been shattered by what had happened to her son.
Kedagh’s father John Moore said their “busy, happy home has crumbled” as a result of what happened, describing the family’s grief and loss as “more profound than words can describe”.
He spoke of his son’s love of sport and the impact his death had on his soccer team Clane United, which disbanded and played no more matches that season.
The court also heard that the effect of their son’s death had also impacted on the couple’s health.
Kedagh’s sister Sadhbh, said her childhood was taken away the day her baby brother and best friend died.
She said her brother supported her, made her laugh and they used to talk into the early hours, but “now there is no one to talk to”.
“His death has ruined my life. We should have grown old together,” she said.
(L-R) John and Glenda, parents and Sadhbh Moore, sister, the family of the late Kedagh Moore
At sentencing, Judge Elva Duffy said while Silaghi had shown remorse for the death of Kedagh Moore, he had not shown remorse for for the offending before the court today.
She said the car showed extensive damage and it was difficult to see how he did not know what he had done.
She said the offending was at the upper end of the mid-range of sentence and handed down a headline sentence of six-and-a-half years.
Taking into account mitigating factors, including Silaghi’s no previous convictions, she jailed him for 5 years and nine months.
He is also disqualified from driving for 15 years.
Judge Elva Duffy paid tribute to the Moore family for the dignity they had shown in court and described their victim impact statements as very moving.
The judge said the tragedy is one that the family will have to deal with long after today.