THE SISTER of man who died after being struck by a hit and run driver told a court how his “violent and untimely death” will forever affect their family.
Looking directly at the driver in the court dock, she told him: “You left him to die like a dog in the road.”
She said her family “bitterly regret that James ever crossed paths with someone like you, the absolute opposite of everything he was”.
AÃne Forde was giving her victim impact statement in the Limerick Circuit Criminal Court in a sentencing hearing for Daniel Connors (30), of Clondrinagh Halting Site, Limerick, who admitted hitting 53-year-old James Forde and driving away.
Judge Colin Daly heard from State Prosecutor John O’Sullivan that the late Mr Forde was crossing the Ennis Road on a green light at a pedestrian crossing when Mr Connors drove through the crossing and hit him.
His bereaved mother and all but one of Mr Forde’s nine siblings were in court for the hearing.
Most of the Forde family stepped out while the court viewed CCTV and dashcam footage showing the lead up to the fatal incident on November 26, 2024, and captured the moment the car struck Mr Forde and drove away.
The Clareview man died of multiple injuries, including serious head injuries, four hours later at University Hospital Limerick.
The court heard the accused man was disqualified from driving at the time and, after making admissions of guilt, he also admitted he had smoked cannabis on the morning of the accident.
Mr O’Sullivan outlined evidence – and there was CCTV footage – of Mr Connors forcing his way from Roses Avenue on to the Ennis Road, moments before the fatal collision, forcing two cars to break.
The court heard he was travelling at around 54km/h at the time and broke a red light on the pedestrian crossing.
Ms Forde told the court that she, her late brother, and all her siblings had been brought up to respect the law by her late father, Joe, a member of the Garda SÃochána.
“Not just the law, but the rule. That is evident in James’ final moments of life, as he pressed the button and waited for the green light to cross,” she said.
She told the court he late brother was “kind and gentle” and lived with their mother, providing support and assistance to her.
“It is hard to speak publicly about the seismic impact of his death on us – we suffer every day. It is a physical pain.”
Judge Daly heard that, after driving away, Mr Connors drove to the halting site where he lived and parked the car behind a house.
He initially made a full admission, which he withdrew later when arrested.
Mr Connors reverted to an admission later that day during Garda interviews and offered a signed guilty plea.
He said he was “heartbroken for that man and his family. He did nothing wrong and I killed him. I wish it had been me instead of him.”
Defending Senior Counsel, Mark Nicholas, described the fatal collision as “an enormous tragedy”, and Mr Connors driving away as “disgraceful”.
But he pointed in mitigation to the accused man’s early admission and awareness of the consequences of his actions.
“While he left the scene, his parking of the car at his home place is indicative of panic – he panicked which is an explanation, not an excuse.”
The SC told the court in mitigation that Mr Connors is a father of five children, two of whom have special needs, and that he plays an important role in parenting them.
The judge heard that he has 120 previous convictions, including a number of driving disqualifications, one of which was for eight years.
Judge Daly said there was “a lot to consider” and adjourned imposing sentence until January 26 next year.
– Court Reporting Scheme