Pair warned they are facing prison after pensioner's death

Pair warned they are facing prison after pensioner's death

23 November 2016

TWO local motorists could be jailed for Christmas after admitting causing the death of a Ballyhornan man in an accident outside the village.

Che McManus (21), of Carriff Court, Kilclief, pleaded guilty in court on Thursday to causing the death of 72 year-old Patrick Wilkinson by dangerous driving, while his co-defendant, Daryl Kirton (23), of Drumnaconagher Road, Crossgar, admitted causing his death by careless driving.

Kirton also admitted causing Mr Wilkinson’s death while driving without insurance.

The two men had been driving separate cars on the road at the time of the accident.

Mr Wilkinson died after being struck by a car at Killard Road in Ballyhornan in the late afternoon of June 25, 2014.

The accident happened on a stretch of road at the centre of a long-running appeal by residents calling for a reduction in the speed limit to 30mph. 

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard last month confirmed action would now be taken to introduce the new lower speed limit.

After the accident, Mr Wilkinson’s family spoke of their anger that his recent retirement to the area from Ballinderry had been tragically cut short.

His son-in-law, Pat Magee, described him as “respected and loved” and said that although he was a quiet man, he was also known for his practical jokes.

He had also revealed that the accident would have been much worse if it had happened just minutes earlier.

“It would have been a lot worse if it had been 10 minutes before when we were bringing 160 odd cows in. It would have been a massacre.”

At Downpatrick Crown Court on Thursday, the defendants, both wearing suits, were told they faced an immediate driving ban.

Confirming their release on continuing bail until sentencing on December 22, Judge Piers Grant also warned that their release on bail did not mean they would not be jailed.

“It is almost inevitable that custodial sentences will be imposed,” he said.

“Your sentence will be determined by what I hear on December 22.”