Heartbroken sister of Louth crash victim says 'part of me went with her'

A drunk and disqualified driver who crashed into a fallen tree during a Red storm warning, told gardaí who arrived on the scene that he had killed his best friend, Dundalk Circuit Court heard last week.

Conor Duffy (27) of Channonrock, Dundalk pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Kate Keenan, drink driving and driving without insurance or a driving licence on the L-1140 at Monvallet, Louth on January 22nd last year.

A red storm warning was in place over Storm Isha on the night in question. Gardaí were called to the scene at 1.50am and found a Volkswagen Caddy wedged under a fallen tree. 

Kate Keenan, of Rathroal, Cavan Road, Knockbridge, who had been sitting on a friend's lap in the van's passenger seat, died immediately following the collision. The defendant and the other survivor of the crash, who were on the other side of the tree, were initially aggressive when asked if they needed medical attention.

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The passenger claimed the driver had gone running off, but after Conor Duffy was taken aside to try and calm him down, he admitted driving and said “My best friend is after dying – leave me alone”.

He refused to do a roadside test but a urine sample taken at Dundalk Garda Station had a reading in the highest drunk driving category. It also showed the presence of Alprazolam, cocaine and cannabis in his system.

Conor Duffy told gardai he didn’t see the tree and he replied “What warning?” when he was asked about the red weather alert.

The court heard none of the van's occupants, who were on their way home from a pub in Louth village, were wearing seatbelts.

The defendant had 12 previous convictions, including driving without insurance,dangerous driving and intoxicated driving, and was under a four year driving ban at the time.

His barrister said his client had a long term toxic relationship with alcohol, substances and cars and didn’t see the tree until the absolute last possible moment. 

The court heard his half brother had died "very young" and there were a lot of unresolved issues that came to a head around the time of the fatal collision.

Kate Keenan’s parents and sister all read victim impact reports outlining the devastating impact her loss has had on their family. 

Rachel Keenan said that not only did Kate die "part of me went with her" and she would never get to plan her 30th birthday party and told how Kate had been taken home in a coffin on the day of her (Rachel’s) birthday.

She said: "She was my life, she was my everything. She was my little sister" and Rachel told how they grew up hand in hand closer than ever, and "we had a locked in kind of love".

Her father Wayne Keenan said it is something that no parent should ever have to go through and he never even got the chance to give his daughter a kiss goodbye.

He told how Kate loved socialising and called her a social butterfly and said no parent should ever have to lower their child into the ground.

After showing a photo of her daughter to those in the courtroom, Cathy Keenan said Kate was more than a garda number or a court number and told how she had nearly miscarried her.

"She was my little fighter" and said that the toxicology results "show it was no accident".

She told of her torment thinking of Kate lying on the road for 14 hours adding "my grief is raw" and said "not only did Kate die that night I did too, only I’m still breathing” and said she has PTSD "I've a fear of knocks on the door".

Addressing the defendant Mrs Keenan added "Conor I trusted you with Kate" and said she cannot forgive him.

A personal letter and reports on behalf of the defendant were handed into court on his behalf.

Mr Duffy, who was visibly upset and had held his head in hands as Cathy Keenan gave her victim impact statement, instructed his Senior counsel not to continue with his plea of mitigation.

Judge Dara Hayes said he wanted to consider the evidence and further remanded the defendant in custody to today (Thursday).