The family of a young man killed in a road crash in Co Roscommon last year have said that his death would have been "completely avoidable" if the owner and driver of the articulated truck that his car collided with acted responsibly as a road user.
Thirty-two-year-old Shaun Curran, of Dobhar Láir, An Bun Beag in Co Donegal, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Rian Sheridan on the 27 March 2024.
Rian Sheridan, who was 25 and a native of Cluainluáin, Rinn Mhaoile in Co Galway, was on his way home from football training when his car was in collision with a truck on the N61 at Newtown, outside Roscommon town, at around 10pm that night.
The sentencing hearing heard how the truck that Curran was driving had a blowout causing the fully- loaded heavy goods vehicle (HGV) to swerve to the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.
Evidence from the forensic collision investigation showed that the tread depth on the front wheel tyre was below the legal requirement and the tyre was in bad condition.
CCTV gathered from various locations on the day of the crash established that the truck driver had observed the tyre on two occasions.
Sergeant Ronan O'Meara, of Roscommon Garda Station, told the court that, in garda interviews, Curran said he knew the tyre was due to be changed, but he never thought it was in a condition to blow out.
Sgt O'Meara said that data collected from his phone showed that he had made enquiries about tyres on the day of the crash.
The garda said that Curran was also speeding, travelling at 93km/h just before the crash.
In Ireland, the standard speed limit for HGVs is 80km/h on all roads except motorways, where it is 90km/h.
Tachograph data showed that 814km had been travelled on the day of the crash and that three other significant speeding infringements had been noted.
The hearing also heard that Curran had made admissions around breaches of tachograph data, which records a driver's activity including driving time, rest periods and vehicle speed and distance.
The court was told that he had used another driver's tachograph card on the day of the crash to avoid compliance around working hours, breaks and rest periods and another driver's card was in the truck at the time of the collision.
The court also heard how Curran had been driving his truck for over 15 hours at the time, in breach of regulations for HGV rest periods.
He had left An Bun Beag in Co Donegal that morning and driven to Letterkenny, Toomebridge, Ardee, Lusk and Limerick with a delivery before picking up another consignment of alcohol to be delivered in Donegal the following morning.
Emotional victim impact statements from family
The parents, sisters and girlfriend of Mr Sheridan outlined, in emotional victim impact statements, their heartbreak and devastation.
They spoke of his musical talent, his work ethic and his caring and kind nature.
Finian Sheridan said that, as a father, he could not have asked for a better son, adding that part of him died that night with Rian.
He said that what happened was not an accident but the result of irresponsible and inconsiderate decisions.
Mr Sheridan's mother, Maria, said that seeing her son laid out on a hospital bed after medical staff turned off the life support machine and the family not having the opportunity to say goodbye haunts her.
Addressing Mr Curran, she said that whatever consequences he faces, it will never be enough as there is no compensation sufficient for their loss.
"A competent and capable driver would have foreseen the risks and consequences," she said.
Rian's sister, Ciara, said that her family adored their little brother and, since he died, have been living their worst nightmare.
His sister, Doireann, said that Rian was a gift to the family and his loss is felt deeply by everyone.
She recalled her final phone call with her brother and how he had her in stiches.
"That was the kind of person he was, he could make any day better," she said.
Another sister, Aebhín, said that Rian was one of the kindest, most positive people she knew and it breaks her heart to think about the future stolen from him.
His girlfriend, Aine Griffin, said they met at the Fleadh Cheoil in Sligo in 2015 and shared a love for music.
They loved each other so much, she added, and had plans for a family.
Ms Griffin said she was heartbroken, knowing that she would never see or hear Rian again.
The sentencing hearing was told that Curran had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
He had alerted gardaí to dashcam footage from the truck and had made admissions around the misuse of the tachograph.
The court heard that he expressed remorse about what had happened and while he knows there is nothing he can say or do that can bring Rian back, he takes full responsibility.
Judge Kenneth Connolly said it was clear to him that a custodial sentence would not be avoided in this case and adjourned finalisation of sentencing until Tuesday.
