A 22-year-old man who pleaded guilty to drink driving and dangerous driving causing the deaths of two of his college friends is “truly sorry”, a court has heard.
Patrick Carroll, with an address at Drinagh Fivealley, Birr, Co Offaly, crashed a car into a wall on the N69 in Co Limerick two years ago, killing 21-year-old Darragh Dullea from Clonakilty, Co Cork, and 19-year-old Cillian Kirwan from Piltown, Co Kilkenny.
They were all travelling in the same car along with a fourth man at the time of the fatal collision.
Mr Carroll and the third passenger were treated in hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.
The young men were friends and fellow students attending the Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, studying for a higher certificate in agricultural mechanisation.
During a sentencing hearing at Limerick Circuit Court , Inspector Padraig Sutton of Henry Street Garda Station outlined the movements of the students in the hours before the collision on 20 February 2024.
Inspector Sutton told the court that the students had attended a lecture at TUS in Limerick city, and on their way back to Pallaskenry they frequented two pubs, De Bucket and The Dromore Inn, in Kildimo, between 4pm and 7pm.
CCTV footage of Mr Carroll driving a 2010-registered Volkswagen Jetta arriving at both pubs was shown to the court.
The court heard that Cillian Kirwan joined his friends at The Dromore Inn.
Shortly after leaving the pub, the car being driven by Mr Carroll crossed to the other side of the road and crashed into a wall and a pier of a farmhouse at Ballyengland near Askeaton at 7.20pm.
Cillian Kirwan (left) and Darragh Dullea were killed in the crash in February 2024
Inspector Sutton told the court that Darragh Dullea and Cillian Kirwan were killed instantly.
Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by Brendan Gill, state solicitor for Co Limerick, told the court that the defendant was driving with a blood alcohol level almost three times the legal limit.
Ms Buckley said the driver and passengers were all wearing seatbelts and while there were airbags in the vehicle, they were not sufficient to save the occupants.
The court heard that two women who came upon the collision in its aftermath, described seeing Mr Carroll crying and calling on his friends to “wake up”.
The court was told that the accused made admissions of guilt at the scene and again while being questioned by gardaí.
Mr Carroll told gardaí: “I made a terrible mistake that day and will live with the shame of this for the rest of my life.”
Sinead Molloy, mother of Cillian Kirwan, said her heart was broken since the death of her son.
In a victim impact statement, she said Cillian was killed in such a senseless manner, and she hoped he did not suffer.
“We cannot find the strength to forgive,” she told the court.
The family of Darragh Dullea described him as their pride and joy.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, they said they are greeted by tremendous grief every day.
Brian McInerney, SC, on behalf of Mr Carroll said the 22-year-old is deeply remorseful for his actions that resulted in the deaths of his two friends.
“He accepts responsibility for his actions and the hurt that has been and will continue to be felt by the families of the deceased,” Mr McInerney said.
The defence barrister told the court that Mr Carroll has written letters to the families if they choose to read them at some point in the future.
Mr McInerney said Mr Carroll was fully cooperative with the garda investigation and pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest possible opportunity.
Three character references on behalf of Mr Carroll were also read to the court.
Judge Simon McAleese extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased who were in court for today’s hearing.
“What an appalling and senseless tragedy this was and is,” he said.
Judge McAleese remanded the accused in custody by consent and adjourned the case until Friday when he is expected to pass sentence.