'Shame on them' - grieving mum hits out at TDs and their broken promises

An Offaly mother who’s son was killed in a traffic accident involving a drunk driver has criticised the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his government colleagues for reneging on promises to introduce tougher penalties.

Last November, Birr native Christina Donnelly met with the Taoiseach to discuss the introduction of more punitive penalties for drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents including six to nine year mandatory sentences and disqualification periods of between 20 years and life.

The “heartbroken” mother, who lost her son Brendan in 2009, left the meeting hopeful that she had the Taoiseach’s support for changes to the drink driving laws.

Ms Donnelly also claims that the Taosiseach said that he would invite her back to the Dail to meet the Transport Committee.

However, nearly 12 months later she is still awaiting the invitation and the drink driving laws remain the same.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Ms Donnelly said that the Taoiseach is just one of a number of high profile politicians who have voiced their support for changes to the system, but who have done nothing.

“I know that there has been a lot of upheaval over the last year, but there is no excuse as far as I’m concerned.

'This is not a political campaign, its a campaign for saving lives and preserving lives and removing drunk drivers from our roads.

“I feel now that I was given a pat on the head and told to go home. I’ve been waiting for an email or for the phone to ring. I feel very disillusioned and very insulted.”

Ms Donnelly launched her campaign, called Brendan’s law, following his death in an horrific traffic accident in Waterford. The 24-year-old and his best friend were killed when their car was involved in a head on collision with a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road back in 2009.

The driver of the other car, Anthony Long, had drank 11 cans and bottles of beer, seven pints of beer, two vodkas, three shots and line of cocaine before getting the behind the wheel. He was sentenced to five years but was out after less than four.

Ms Donnelly says that she will continue her campaign until tougher penalties are brought in for drunk drivers.

“We are after justice not vengenance. We are talking about families being destrong because someone decided to drink drive. Until some drunk driver is made an example of and gets a sentence benefitting them there will be no semblemance of justice.

“Shame on them all who made promises and reneged on them. They have let down thousands of families,” she concluded.