Mother's pain as drink-drive rugby star escapes jail term
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THE mother of a teenager killed in a car crash involving former rugby star Eddie Halvey has hit out at the judicial system for not jailing the drunken sportsman.
Retired player Halvey (38) escaped a prison sentence yesterday when he was convicted for drink-driving and careless driving.
Halvey's vehicle struck the BMW carrying Kevin Walsh from behind on April 1, 2006, at Coole, Toomevara, Co Tipperary. The 16-year-old sports enthusiast died at the scene.
Speaking outside Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court, the dead boy's mother, Kate Walsh, from Sycamore Drive, Bruff, Co Limerick, said the wrong message had been sent out to the rest of the country.
"At this time I am very bitter with the justice system in this country," she said. "I feel very bitter towards Eddie Halvey. He is a sportsman who played for Ireland and got a slap on the wrists in court today."
"It sent out the wrong message to everyone in Ireland today. Go out, play sports for Ireland, drink drive, you can kill someone and you won't get punished in court for it, that is the reality," Mrs Walsh said.
"We are disappointed. He got a slap on the wrists for drink-driving and killing my child."
Dangerous
Before Judge Tom Teehan, Halvey, of Allendale Hall, South Circular Road, Limerick, who was previously charged with dangerous driving causing death, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of careless driving.
The former Munster and Ireland rugby player also pleaded guilty to drink driving. The court heard his alcohol level was over twice the legal limit for driving.
Following an emotional case, Judge Teehan gave the guilty man a seven-month suspended prison sentence and banned him from driving for seven years. He also ordered the Limerick man to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for five years.
Det Declan O'Carroll gave evidence that Kevin Walsh was a passenger with his uncles, Vincent and Declan Tierney, travelling to Newry in a 1999 registered BMW when they came across cattle on the N7 route between Toomevara and Moneygall. Vincent rang the gardai to inform them of the cattle and of their dangers to other motorist.
At 5.10am, gardai came across the two-vehicle collision. Mr Halvey's 2005 registered Toyota Landcruiser had struck the rear of the BMW.
Det O'Carroll tried to revive Kevin Walsh but was unable to do so. Mr Halvey was on the side of the road and was "unsteady on his feet and appeared to be drunk".
A subsequent investigation established that the BMW was stopped on the Dublin-bound carriageway.
The judge was provided with reports from defence barrister Patrick Gageby which showed that the defendant had become introverted and was prescribed anti-depressant medication following the incident. He also received counselling.
The court also heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions had at one stage considered dropping the matter entirely.
Kate Walsh told the court that Eddie Halvey robbed her of a lifetime with Kevin. She said she still buys her son the latest Liverpool jersey when it comes out and puts it on his grave.
"I couldn't believe that it was someone else's stupidity that had killed Kevin, someone who had chosen to drive after having drink taken. He didn't have to die, he was only a child sitting in the back of a parked car.''
"Eddie Halvey has handed us a life sentence of emptiness and pain," she said. "Kevin had always said that he would be a star and thanks to Eddie Halvey he is, but for all the wrong reasons."
Facing the defendant, Mrs Walsh said she will never forgive or forget him for his "ignorance and selfishness and for killing my small man, Kevin".
Kate Walsh remembered her youngest child whom she referred to as her small man, her son and baby. She said he loved his sister, Mandy, and "as he was getting older, he was keeping a watchful eye on her".
Mrs Walsh said Eddie Halvey's apology yesterday in court came three years too late. "He could have done it the week after and it wouldn't have been half as hard on me today, but what can I do?"
- Barry Duggan
