Christina Donnelly.

We seek justice not vengeance

An Offaly mother who lost her son in a road accident involving a driver who was drunk and on drugs has taken her six year battle for tougher sentencing to Leinster House and the Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

“Heartbroken” Christina Donnelly’s campaign for the introduction of more punitive drink and drug driving laws moved a step closer to completion on Wednesday when she met the Taoiseach in Dublin.

Since the 2009 death of her son Brendan, she has lobbied for tougher sentences for drunk and drug drivers involved in fatal accidents, including six to nine year mandatory sentences and disqualification periods of between 20 years and life.

The Birr native also wants drivers arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving to be put off the roads until they appear in court.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Ms Donnelly said that she was “very pleased” with the meeting and the Taoiseach’s response.

She added that Deputy Kenny said that he would submit her submission to the Department of Justice. “I genuinely found very sympathetic, as a father and a human being.”

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.

The driver of the other car, Anthony Long, had been drinking since 3pm the previous day before attending a pub fancy dress party - and had drank 11 cans and bottles of beer, seven pints of beer, two vodkas, three shots of
Aftershock and a line of cocaine before attempting to drive home after an argument with his wife.

Long, who also fled the scene of the accident, was sentenced to five years in prison but was released after less than four years.

A little over six years on after Brendan’s untimely death says that the pain of losing her son has intensified.

“Losing Brendan gets harder as the absolute reality sets in. My heart is broken for my son. When I look at pictures of my son I try to imagine what he would look like now.”

Ms Donnelly says that she started the campaign to be a “voice” for her son and the other victims of drunk and drug drivers across the country.

“At times it (the campaign) comes to a standstill but Brendan always gives me a Berocca kick. It can be frustrating but it has been a journey of trying to get something so immensely positive out of something so destructive and I’ve no doubt that we will get there in the end. We seek justice not vengeance.”