Mayo family of Ronan Keating's brother say they will never forgive driver who caused father’s death

The family of a Mayo man who was killed in a road traffic collision in 2023 say they will never forgive the driver who caused the collision.

Ciarán Keating of Kilsallagh Upper, Westport died on July 15, 2023 when a car driven by Dean Harte (22) veered across the carriageway of the N5  into the path of his car at Ballymiles, Swinford.

Mr Keating (57), a brother of Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, died at the scene while his wife Ann-Marie who was a front seat passenger was severely injured and spent a number of weeks in hospital.

Mr Harte of Mullingar Road, Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court where he received a 17 month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to careless driving causing death and serious injury.

In an emotional victim impact statement delivered on behalf of his mother by Conal Keating, son of Mr Keating, he said that she will never come to terms with 'Ciarán's sudden and traumatic loss' and part of her died that day.

“I will never get over this or be the same again. No matter what I do, the pain is there. My life will never be the same again. Part of me died that day. My heart belonged to Ciarán. I miss Ciaran so much..I feel his loss and absence deeply. There is a sadness in me that never goes away,” Conal read.

A photograph of Ciarán Keating was placed on the witness box facing the defendant during the reading of the victim impact statement and Mrs Keating said she will never forgive him.

“Your actions and your lack of attention on that July afternoon have left me broken and bereaved. Your decision not to drive safely, correctly, responsibly took a vita needed person from his family. Your crime was appalling and incomprehensible.

“Guilt is about owning and feeling the pain you have caused others. Your actions have caused enormous and permanent damage. Your actions have caused great suffering, destruction and distress. The fallout of that day will continue for years to come and there is no forgetting, no forgiveness and there never will be.

“His life was so much more than how you ended it.”

Conal Keating also read a victim impact statement on behalf of his sister, Aisling where she described how her mental health has suffered since the death of her father and she will never experience him walking her down the aisle on her wedding day.

She too said she could never forgive Mr Harte for what he did.

“There is no justice here and you have given me and my family a life sentence. I wholeheartedly wish this grief and agony on you and I will never forgive you,” her victim impact statement read.

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Judge Eoin Garavan was informed that on July 15, 2023, Mr Keating and his wife were travelling to see their son Ruairí play football in Sligo and to celebrate his 28th birthday which was to take place the following day.

Garda Brian Murphy explained that Mr Harte was driving an Audi A3 towards Westport where he was to do a job at the Lidl supermarket.

At approximately 3.35pm, Mr Harte's car failed to take a left bend on the road and veered across into the path of Mr Keating's oncoming car.

The garda investigation determined that Mr Keating attempted to avoid a collision but the two cars collided along the hard shoulder. The impact resulted in Mr Keating’s car vaulting the crash barrier and Mr Harte's was propelled back onto the opposite side of the road.

Witnesses who were travelling behind Mr Harte noted that there was no reason for the car to veer to the left and there was no indication it was speeding. Mr Harte tested negative for alcohol but traces of cannabis were found in his system.

An examination of his phone showed no evidence that he was on the phone at the time although an outgoing Snapchat message was recorded four minutes before the impact occurred.

Garda Murphy confirmed that the stretch of road along the N5 has been the scene of a number of traffic accidents and collisions.

Mrs Keating spent a number of weeks in hospital and was unable to attend the funeral of her husband. A medical report which was read to the court showed that she suffered nerve damage to her right eye as well as 'considerable disfigurement' on her right side with multiple scars which required plastic surgery.

Garda Murphy added that one of the tyre's on Mr Harte's car was below the legal thread limit but apart from that both vehicles were in good working condition. He added that the weather on the day was described as misty and the road surface was wet.

Mr Harte was initially charged with dangerous driving causing death and serious injury but the charge was later reduced after he agreed to plead guilty.

Mr John Paul Shortt, senior counsel for Mr Harte said his client was 20 years old at the time of the collision and was travelling from Mullingar to Westport and was using Google Maps to show the way. He said that his client claimed that he sent a Snapchat message before leaving Mullingar and denied making it while on the journey. Mr Scott added that there was no evidence of driving at speed.

He explained his client was remorseful and acknowledged the grief and trauma Mr Keating's death has had on his family and he had written a letter of apology which was not accepted by the family.

Mr Shortt asked Judge Garavan to take into account the positive probation report and that Mr Harte had himself been referred to a psychologist for counselling. He also asked him to give credit for the guilty plea and that it was accepted that a guilty verdict for dangerous driving would have been difficult to deliver based on the statements of the witnesses.

In sentencing Mr Harte, Judge Garavan said there were no aggravating factors for causing the collision and the only plausible reason for the car failing to take a 'gentle bend' was the lack of attention.

Judge Garavan said the anger of the Keating family was understandable in this case and he had noted the distress in the victim impact statements and the tragic and long term consequences of Ciarán's death on the family. He said that while revenge and retribution from a human point of view can play a role, the court must look at a case coldly and dispassionately.

He acknowledged the early plea and the remorse shown by Mr Harte and the lack of previous convictions as well as his good employment record as mitigating factors. The probation report showed he was considered a low risk of reoffending.

“He knows his actions caused this terrible tragedy and he will have to live with his actions for failure to pay attention all his life,” Judge Garavan commented.

He imposed a 17 month prison sentence but suspended the entirety of the sentence for a period of two years and ordered he remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for a further 12 months. He also disqualified him from driving for two years.