Man who ‘ignored pleas to slow down' jailed for 7 years over death of two teens in 121kph Monaghan crash on way to debs
Best pals Kiea McCann, 17, and Dlava Mohamed, 16, lost their lives in the horror crash near Clones, Co Monaghan, in 2023.
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Anthony McGinn arriving at Monaghan Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing
Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
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Kiea McCann, aged 17, and 16-year-old Dlava Mohamed died when the car they were travelling in left the N54 and crashed into a tree
Credit: RTE
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Anthony McGinn was handed down a seven-year jail term this morning
Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Anthony McGinn, 61, - who was driving the best pals to their Debs - was subsequently charged with dangerous driving causing death.
He was also charged with dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Dlava's sis Avin, 19, who was injured.
McGinn was this morning sentenced at Monaghan Circuit Court.
Handing down the seven-year jail term, Judge John Aylmer blasted McGinn for travelling at "grossly excessive speeds" of 151kph in an 80kph zone on a wet road.
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And the judge told how the death driver "ignored pleas to slow down" from frantic passengers.
Judge Aylmer said: "You were entrusted to drive these young people to their Debs.
"And in driving in the manner in which you did, you committed an extraordinary breach of trust."
Victim impact statements revealed how Kiea and Dlava died 'holding hands' in the horror crash on the way to their Debs after driver McGinn snubbed pleas to slow down.
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Their pair were being driven by McGinn when the tragedy unfolded in July 2023.
The driver had been speeding on his way to the ball when he lost control of his BMW and smashed into a tree at an impact speed of over 121kph.
Both girls tragically died side-by-side following the horror.
Dlava's sister Avin, who had also been travelling in the car at the time, was injured.
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McGinn had pleaded guilty to causing the girls' deaths by dangerous driving and causing Avin serious bodily harm.
HEARTBREAKING IMPACT
In a heartbreaking victim impact statement, Kiea's mum Teresa told how she 'trusted' McGinn to take her daughter to the Debs.
She said: 'When we got to the scene, Kiea was already gone. Her dad tried CPR on her. Nothing would bring her back.
'Kiea and her best friend were robbed of their lives. They were put side by side holding hands on the grass as me and my husband lay beside them.'
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Dlava's sister told how she feels guilty over the crash as she invited the teen to the dance with her.
She said she did not learn about the pair's death for months due to her injuries after 'everything went black' in the crash.
Monaghan Circuit Criminal Court was told family friend McGinn had picked up the group in Monaghan before heading to the ball.
Front seat passenger Oisin Clerkin had asked McGinn to 'slow down' but the driver did not respond.
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Kiea's debs date Oisin later told cops: 'He was driving really fast and it scared me.
'None of the girls said anything. Kiea looked scared. I said 'Goodbye' to Kiea and I woke up in hospital.'
The court was shown harrowing footage of Kiea and Dlava's final moments before McGinn collided with the tree.
He later told gardai he had no idea what speed he was going at before the crash.
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The court heard McGinn was travelling at almost double the limit before hitting the tree.
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Dlava Mohammed sadly passed in the crash in Co Monaghan
Credit: Pacemaker Press
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Kiea McCann also lost her life in the crash
Credit: Pacemaker Press
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Prison chief at notorious jail allowed to resign with compensation package after links to organised crime exposed
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Sunday World
2 hours ago
- Sunday World
Fake visionary who convinced followers to hand over millions spotted gambling on slot machines
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When we confronted Gallagher in Dr Quirkey's in Phisboro, Dublin in June as she was gambling away on a big money slot machine. Christina Gallagher flees Dr Quirkey's As soon as our reporter identified himself and asked Gallagher if her followers knew about her 'secret hobby', she grabbed a winning docket and stuffed it in her pocket before leaving the machine. 'I only come the odd time,' she said, before denying she used any donations to gamble. As we continued to quiz her, she walked to another machine in the casino where former House of Prayer company secretary and Christina's close confidant Noel Guinan was playing. Suffering The pair then made a bee-line for the exit before getting in a 7- Series BMW and driving away. But now, The House of Prayer and Noel Guinan have given an explanation for what happened. In a message posted on Gallagher's own website, which has not been available in Ireland since the casino incident but is still online in the US, the House of Prayer attacked the Sunday World claiming it had 'tried to mislead people and discredit Christina Gallagher's reputation'. The message claimed Gallagher was in ill-health after suffering two mini strokes and two heart attacks over the years and had an iron transfusion a few days before and was due to have another one the following day. Noel Guinan, who had little to say on the day we approached him, also attacked our coverage and said the casino was his idea. 'On the day before the second procedure – which was in fact her birthday – I treated her to lunch as a birthday gift. 'From our conversation, I gathered how worried she really was about having to undergo the procedure again. I was just trying to think of something else to distract her. On the way back to her home, I innocently spotted a place where there were slot machines, and I thought that might help to distract her a little. Gallagaher at one of her House of Prayer 'visionary' events 'When we went inside, I gave her some money to put into a machine. I emphasise – I gave her the money myself. We were there for a short time when I heard her call my name. I turned to see two men standing beside her, telling her they were from a particular newspaper. They were repeatedly berating her with questions all the way back to the car as we left. 'I was so shocked, in fact, at the whole incident that I nearly collapsed myself. 'Come Sunday, I was horrified at the article the tabloid in question had published. Most frightening of all was to think that she was being investigated for four months, according to them. From what I see, she can have no social outlet, as everyone is entitled to and most people take for granted,' the post concluded. Despite Guinan's suggestion that they were just passing the casino and went in out of the blue, regular gamblers there told the Sunday World the pair had been visiting for around a year and said Gallagher would have wads of cash in her hand as she pumped money into machines. Today, we are also publishing pictures of Gallagher gambling at the casino in February shortly before Lent. Guinan was also present on that night and regulars say they spotted the pair on the premises on multiple other occasions. Guinan made no reference to these other visits in his statement, nor did he say he gave her the money to gamble on those occasions. Disease In a separate statement, the House of Prayer said Gallagher is suffering from serious ill health and said she has disease in her 'blood, liver, heart, lungs and kidneys' and she also suffers severely from arthritis, which they claimed resulted 'from the non-stop persecution and evil attacks upon her'. 'Every human being is entitled to move around freely, wherever they choose,' the statement read. 'They are likewise free to spend their own money as they wish – in this case, a personal gift Christina received on her birthday in an effort to distract her from the dread of a most painful medical procedure due to take place on the following day.' Christina Gallagher leaves Quirkeys Casino in Phibsborough, Dublin Studies have shown that casino gambling increases heart rate and cortisol (stress hormone) levels which can put stress on the heart. Gallagher, who claims to have stigmata, has also told followers that she speaks directly to Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Numerous former attendees and family members have spoken of the constant pressure to donate to the House of Prayer, preferably in cash or by buying items from their shop, including a supposedly magical picture of the Virgin Mary (€250), which Gallagher claims Jesus endorses and will provide holy protection in a coming apocalypse. 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'People at the HOP thoroughly believe her statements of being a self-proclaimed saint and yet if any single person were to suffer as much as they are being 'told' she is – this woman would be in a wheelchair constantly and not a frequent guest in the local gambling emporium.' He said the Houses of Prayer in the US are required to fill a quota and have mandatory sign-in sheets to track those attending but have been haemorrhaging followers as more is revealed about Gallagher. 'No one is allowed to video tape or take notes inside. She has constantly covered her behaviours of paranoia by saying she had $1million stolen from her hence the tight security. My question is – how does a saint get $1million in the first place?' We pictured Christina gambling back in February and again recently (above) in the same casino Today's News in 90 Seconds - 17 August
Irish Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Terrorist who killed Private Sean Rooney believed to be hiding out in Iran
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One source said: 'We suspect he is in Iran and it is unlikely anyone will hand him over to face a death penalty. 'It is not a satisfactory situation but all we can do is keep the pressure on and see if we can get justice for Sean and his family.' Ayyad was among a gang of men who opened fire on the UN peacekeepers convoy on December 14, 2022 in the village of Al-Aqbiya as they made their way to Beirut Airport. Sean lost his life, while three other Irish soldiers – Private Shane Kearney, Corporal Joshua Phelan and Private Nathan Byra – were injured. The other Lebanese gunmen involved in the unprovoked attack got far lighter sentences. One got three months' jail, another a one month jail sentence, another was fined the equivalent of about 1800 and a fourth was acquitted. These are now being appealed by the Beirut Government following pressure from Ireland and Sean's devastated family. Undated family handout photo of Private Sean Rooney (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire) Minister for Defence Simon Harris and Sean's mother Natasha held a private meeting to discuss the case during the week. Mr Harris said: 'The Government has repeatedly stressed the need for justice to be served in this case.. We have raised the issue with the UN, and the Lebanese authorities. 'This is a difficult time for his family and the 121th Infantry Battalion.' The Lebanese authorities have not executed any prisoners in more than 20 years so the Irish Government is pushing for the killer to be found and to serve a life in prison instead. The Taoiseach Micheal Martin, after the court verdict, said: 'Sean was a soldier of great courage who put the safety of others before his own safety in the line of duty. He was brave and diligent. 'Peacekeeping is the most noble cause and the role of the peacekeeper must at all times be honoured and respected.' The funeral of Irish UN peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney at Holy Family Church Dundalk on 22 December 2022. His coffin is dressed in the national colours with a folded United Nations flag and a blue beret. (Image: Colin Keegan / Collins Photos) The Irish Coroner's Inquest into Sean Rooney's death has been postponed and no new date confirmed. Defence Minister Harris revealed in a reply to Deputy O'Murchu that the coroner has received a response from the UN to her request that they should be an interested party at the Inquest and grant access to a number of UN reports. Mr Harris also said that an independent review into the murder by Mr Michael Delaney SC is ongoing. This review is examining the internal tactics, techniques , processes, and procedures employed by the Defence Forces with a view to determining whether there are lessons to be learned for the circumstances surrounding Private Rooney's death. Mr Delaney nis expected to report with Mr Harris in the autumn. Deputy Ruairi O'Murchu said Sean's killer should never be freed from prison, and now worries if he will ever be located. He said: 'He was let out on so-called medical grounds before the Irish Government was even told. 'Nobody really knows what these medical issues are. He should never have gotten out of jail.' The funeral of Irish UN peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney at Holy Family Church Dundalk on 22 December 2022. His coffin is dressed in the national colours with a folded United Nations flag and a blue beret. (Image: Colin Keegan / Collins Photos) 'A promise has been given they would do everything in their power to find Ayadd. That has to happen. 'Everyone welcomes the fact that it is being appealed but we need to see swift action. The family needs to be provided with all the information and Mr Delaney's investigation must be published as soon as possible.' In a letter sent by Simon Harris to Deputy O'Murchu yesterday, the Defence Minister said: 'I share your concerns on the outcome of these proceedings which do not, in my view, reflect the seriousness of the crime committed against Private Rooney and his colleagues. 'I was extremely disappointed with the non-appearance of the main defendant and unless he is brought into custody, the sentence is irrelevant. I am also very disappointed with the leniency shown to the other six. 'I will do everything possible to assist them to find justice for Sean's murder and for the injuries inflicted on his colleagues. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
