A drunk driver who killed a four-year-boy in a head-on collision in Co Laois has been jailed for seven and a half years.
Finbarr O'Rourke of Laurel Drive in Portlaoise had consumed between eight and ten pints of cider on the day of crash.
Through her victim impact statement, Gillian Treacy tried to describe the devastation felt following the tragic loss of her son Ciaran - but no words could explain the hurt felt by losing a child to the actions of a drunk driver.
On April 17th last year, O'Rourke got into his car after drinking up to ten pints of cider.
He crashed head-on into Gillian's car at Ballymorris, killing her 4-year-old boy and severely injuring her and Ciaran's older brother Seán who was seven.
Gillian was on her way after taking her two boys to see their grandparents. The accident left her with catastrophic injuries that may yet cost her a part of her leg.
Today 40-year-old O'Rourke was jailed for seven and a half years.
In passing sentence, Judge Kennan Johnson became emotional when he spoke of how a "beautiful family could be shattered in the blink of an eye".
He called for more intensive campaigning around drink-driving and longer sentences for dangerous driving causing death.
He said he hoped it would act as a wake-up call for anyone thinking of drink driving.
And that is a legacy Gillian also hopes her little boy leaves behind.
VIDEO: Finbarr O'Rourke arriving ahead of sentencing for dangerous driving causing death of Ciaran Treacy (4) pic.twitter.com/k5yVTAtA3n
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) November 3, 2015
