Monaghan Debs ball crash passengers begged driver to slow down as victims' families detail heartbreaking tragedy impact
The driver of a car that smashed into a tree, killing two teenage girls who were on their way to their Debs two years ago, was going nearly double the speed limit before the collision, a court heard today.
The sentencing hearing of Anthony McGinn also heard that the passengers had asked him to slow down before the fatal smash.
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Anthony McGinn has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of Kiea McCann and Dlava Mohammed
Credit: RTE News
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Kiea McCann died in the crash on the N54 at Legnakelly, Co Monaghan on July 31, 2023
Credit: PACEMAKER BELFAST
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Dlava Mohammed also lost her life in the crash
Credit: RTE News
McGinn, of Drumloo, Newbliss, Co Monaghan
He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Dlava Mohammed's sister, Avin, who had also been travelling in the car at the time.
Monaghan Circuit Criminal
The court heard McGinn had been a friend of the McCann family and had agreed to drop them to their Largy College Debs, which was taking place in the Westenra Arms Hotel in Monaghan town that evening.
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The court heard that this was a "position of trust" and after picking them up at a meeting point at a pub in Clones, they then made their way to Monaghan town.
The court was then shown CCTV footage of McGinn's white BMW leaving the N54 and colliding with a tree, which caused family members present some distress and led to the calling of a short recess.
McGinn had been estimated to have been travelling over 150km/h in a 80km/h zone before the crash, the court heard.
The car was travelling at 121km/h when it hit the base of the tree.
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While the road was in good repair, Ms Lardner said that there had been heavy showers on the night and conditions were wet.
Victim impact statements were read out in court, and in one, Avin said the crash changed her life forever.
'EVERYTHING WENT BLACK'
She added that she "got angry" and told McGinn to slow down after he "began speeding", but then "everything went black".
She said that she had no idea for months that her sister Dlava and friend Kiea had died.
In another statement, passenger Oisin Clerkin said he "told him (McGinn) to slow down" but "he didn't reply".
He also told how he turned to Kiea and said "goodbye" and then "woke up in hospital".
'DREAMS NOW BURIED'
Ms Lardner read out a statement by Dlava's father Mohammed Mohammed, who said his daughter was a "piece of (his) heart" and that he'll carry the pain of her loss for the rest of his life.
He described how his family left Syria in 2017 to start a new life and build their dreams but "Dlava's dreams are now buried with her".
Kiea's dad Frankie McCann said in a statement that performing CPR on his daughter and Dlava, in vain, will stay with him forever.
He added of Kiea: "She will never know her first love, get married or have a child of her own. She was more than the girl killed in the Debs crash."
'YOU TOOK OUR DAUGHTER'
Addressing McGinn, he said: "Because of the decision you made, you took our daughter from our lives and our hearts."
Counsel for McGinn Breffni Gordon BL appealed to the court that McGinn had entered an early guilty plea and that he had expressed genuine remorse and formally apologised to the families.
He also mentioned McGinn's lack of previous convictions and low risk of reoffending, while McGinn had lost his job and income, relationship with his wife and kids and had to suffer the stigma of being involved in the collision, adding: "It had a catastrophic effect on him too."
Judge John Aylmer adjourned sentencing to Wednesday, May 14.
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Avin Mohammed said the crash changed her life forever
Credit: Journalist Collect
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Dlava's dad Mohammed said he'll carry the pain of her loss for the rest of his life
Credit: RTE Collect
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Kiea's dad Frankie McCann said performing CPR on his daughter and Dlava, in vain, will stay with him forever
Credit: RTE Collect
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