Sinn Fein back call from family of Derry man Martin Gallagher for tougher drink driving sentences

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has come out strongly in support of the parents of Derry man Martin Gallagher who was killed by a drunk driver on Halloween night 2009.

Raymond McCartney said: “I wholeheartedly support the call for an overhaul of the sentencing process in cases of causing death as a result of drink or drugs fuelled dangerous driving.

“Sinn Féin has long advocated a comprehensive reappraisal of sentencing guidelines in such cases and welcomes the Department’s ongoing review.

"Unless you have experienced such tragic circumstances it is impossible to comprehend the trauma that families go through.

“While a sudden death particularly of a young person is always traumatic when it happens in circumstances that would be considered avoidable such as drink or drugs driving then the impact on families is incomprehensible.

“Accepting that the judiciary and juries must be allowed to consider every aspect of deaths on the road on a case by case basis sentencing recommendations especially when drink or drugs is involved must reflect a zero tolerance to such actions.

“All too often families are left to feel bewildered and further traumatised by the apparent leniency of sentences received by those who knowingly took excessive amounts of alcohol or drugs before getting behind a wheel resulting in the death of a loved one.”