Drunk father killed his best friend in taxi smash

By Aoife Nic Ardghail

a Dublin father-of-two who caused the death of his best friend when he smashed a taxi into a pole while drink driving will be sentenced next week.

Several witnesses told gardai they saw Joseph Robinson (25) get out of the wreck and walk away, leaving his friend on the ground.

The court heard that the deceased, father-of-two Alex Doyle (25), suffered fatal head injuries and a severed arm when he was flung from the front passenger seat.

Robinson, of Cuffe Street, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Doyle at Mount Brown, Old Kilmainham, on June 8, 2014.

He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, criminal damage, drink driving and driving with no licence or insurance at Mount Brown and Tyrconnell Road on the same date.

He has 58 previous convictions, including drugs offences and drink driving.

Garda David O'Hanlon the prosecution that it was unclear how Robinson had possession of the cab.

He said Robinson had been disqualified from driving at the time and had been over twice the alcohol limit.

The garda said one motorist described how the taxi "disintegrated" before it came to a stop 30 feet away from the crash site.

bleeding

This witness followed Robinson, who was bleeding from his head, to near the St James's Hospital entrance and pointed him out to gardai.

Robinson initially denied he had been driving the car but later broke down and made full admissions during interview.

He said he had been "on a mad one" and had lost control while talking to his friend.

Gda O'Hanlon agreed with the defence that Robinson stated: "It should have been me."

The deceased's uncle, James Doyle, said in his victim impact statement that he and his family had been "in shock at the suddenness" of his nephew's death.

Mr Doyle also attacked the "gutter press" for composing "sensationalist and untrue headlines" just hours after his nephew had died.

He said his family did not seek vengeance or retribution, just compassion.

He agreed with the defence that he had mentioned the family's wish for Robinson to attend the National Remedial Hospital and work with victims of traffic accidents as part of his sentence.

Judge Nolan remanded Robinson in continuing custody pending sentence next week.

hnews@herald.ie