Groomsman admits careless driving causing death of groom on morning of wedding

A groomsman has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of a groom on the morning of his wedding.

Shane Harty, (21), of Tola Park, Shannon, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving causing the death of Myles 'Miley' Harty, (20), on August 21, 2021.

Shane Harty, then in his late teens, was driving a silver Skoda hatchback, carrying Myles Harty in the front passenger seat, and another male in the rear of the car, when it left the road and hit a pole, killing the groom instantly and injuring the other man.

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The fatal single-vehicle collision occurred at about 1am, at Cragmore on the R518, Askeaton to Rathkeale Road. It’s understood the defendant and the deceased were first cousins.

Gardai arrested Shane Harty at the scene under the Road Traffic Act. The male rear-seat passenger was transferred by ambulance from the scene to University Hospital Limerick where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Myles Harty was due to marry his sweetheart Kate Quilligan later that morning at St Munchin’s Church, Limerick city.

Later that afternoon, the heartbroken young bride-to-be went to the church with a large gathering of family and friends where the couple’s favourite music and songs were played on speakers.

Blue coloured heart-shaped balloons inscribed with 'King For A Day' in respect of Myles Harty’s scheduled wedding, and others inscribed with '20', in reference to his age, were released from the crowd into the sky over St Munchin’s Church.

Askeaton Parish Priest, Fr Sean O’Longaigh then described it as a "very sad (day) for the families".

"They are now switching from a wedding to a funeral, and our thoughts and prayers are with (them)," said Fr O’Longaigh.

Poignantly, hours before the fatal crash, Ms Quilligan posted a photograph on social media of herself beside a message for Mr Harty, which read: "Can’t believe I’m marrying my best friend in the whole world in the morning. See you at the altar babes. Husband and wife in the morning, our fairytale has finally come."

After news broke of Mr Harty’s sudden death Ms Quilligan announced she would be releasing balloons at the wedding church venue, "because that’s where we should be celebrating the best day of our life at that church but instead it’s the worst".

In a poignant love letter to her fiancé, she wrote: "I love you forever, it will always be me and you, no matter what. Love you unconditionally my gentle giant. You didn’t deserve this my handsome baby boy."

Just a few weeks after his death, Myles Harty’s fiancée announced she was expecting his "miracle baby".

"Baby you knew I needed something to get me [through] the bad days and that’s [why] you blessed me with our miracle baby I [k]new you wouldn’t just leave me so you left me a part of you," Ms Quilligan wrote on Facebook.

"I’m so happy that I will be able to hold onto a part of you for the rest of my life we have a love like no other and even death can’t break that," she stated.

Ms Quilligan also posted a picture of a baby-grow with the words: "Handpicked for earth by my Daddy in Heaven. All we ever wanted was our own little family and [now our] dream is coming through."

Ms Quilligan and Myles Harty’s parents were present in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court when Shane Harty pleaded guilty in the case.

The court heard Ms Quilligan and Mr Harty’s parents are to be canvassed for pre-sentencing victim impact statements which will be taken into account by the judge when considering Shane Harty’s sentence.

Lily Buckley, prosecuting barrister, told the court it was a "very tragic case" and confirmed that Myles Harty "was due to be married on the day".

Judge Colin Daly offered the "sympathies of the court to all the family and friends of the deceased".

Brian McInerney, senior defence barrister for Shane Harty, instructed by solicitor Michael O’Donnell, said there were "certain sensitivities" associated with the case, and that Shane Harty was the deceased’s groomsman.

Judge Daly remanded Shane Harty on continuing bail for sentencing at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, on Monday, November 18.

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