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Ronan Keating Slams ‘Lenient’ Sentence for Driver Who Killed His Brother

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Ronan Keating is advocating for an appeal of the relatively light punishment given to a person who was responsible for his brother’s death in a car accident.

In July 2023, the brother of the Boyzone band member, named Ciaran, tragically passed away in a car accident. He was on a journey with his wife to spectate their son’s football game.

22-year-old Dean Harte was released from prison after being given a 17-month suspended sentence that will be enforced over the course of two years, which was decided at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Ronan posted on Instagram a message from the Keatings expressing their shock and dissatisfaction with the lightness of the verdict.

I, as a lifestyle expert, am sharing that our family is determinedly pursuing an appeal of Harte’s sentence in the name of justice. We are resolutely striving to make a stand against irresponsible driving behavior.

The Keatings find the verdict shocking and deeply dissatisfied, anticipating that the District Prosecutor’s Office will challenge the perceived leniency of it.

We plan to motivate the DPP to bravely challenge and seek justice, not just for Ciaran and our family, but also for every victim who lost their life in traffic accidents or due to another person’s reckless behavior on Irish roads.

The best approach to put an end to careless driving and motivate individuals, particularly young people, to obey traffic rules, is to impose penalties for failing to do so.

Ronan wrote the following as a caption: “It’s never right for a family to issue a statement like this one. We appreciate your understanding as we took the time to process and regain our composure following the distressing incidents that occurred yesterday.

In the afternoon around 3:35 PM, Ciaran, aged about 50 and hailing from Louisburgh, Ireland, met a tragic fate while he was traveling with his wife on the N5 highway near Swinford, County Mayo. This section of road has a history of being accident-prone, often referred to as a ‘black-spot.’

On Thursday, Ronan shared on Instagram a video of his son talking to the Irish news channel RTE, expressing his dismay over the recent sentencing, saying: “The sentence handed down today serves as a heart-wrenching illustration of how deeply flawed our legal system truly is.

You could murder someone without spending even one night behind bars. Just a light punishment and you’re free to continue living as if nothing had transpired.

Then, it’s no surprise that such conduct persists on our highways, with road fatalities occurring regularly throughout Ireland each week. Why is this the case?

It’s funny but also troubling that instead of working to repair our flawed system, they choose to ignore its problems.

He went on to say: “It’s disgraceful towards Dean Harte, but even more so, it’s a disgrace towards all those who were part of this process, as they played a role in the tragic situation that my family is facing today.

‘The Lord himself knows the injustic that was served and the Keating family will never find peace.

“We’ll persistently work towards ensuring justice for Ciaran. In our thoughts are those other families who’ve walked similar paths; may no family ever encounter such a situation.

While en route to Westport with a work associate, Dean’s Audi A3 unintentionally drifted onto the opposite lane and collided frontally with Ciaran’s Ford Focus.

He died at the scene, at Ballymiles between Swinford and Bohola.

Ciaran was going to see son Ruairí play an Irish Premier League match.

Ciaran’s son Ruairí started the match for Cork against Sligo Rovers, but was taken off at halftime.

24 hours prior to his 28th birthday, the unfortunate accident occurred. The striker has represented Irish clubs such as Sligo Rovers, Galway United, and also English team Torquay United.

At Cork City FC, we’re heartbroken over the death of Ciaran Keating, who is the father of our player Ruairí Keating.

We offer heartfelt condolences to Ruairí and all members of the Keating family during this incredibly challenging period. May he find eternal peace.

I kindly request that everyone respects our privacy during these challenging times. The details regarding the funeral will be shared when they are finalized.

In this way, it conveys the same message but sounds more personal and conversational.

Ciaran is believed to have worked as a car salesman and previously ran a bar.

Councilor John O’Malley expressed his sympathies, saying, “The tragic news has left everyone stunned and disheartened.

Everyone who knew him held him in great esteem, and our thoughts are with his spouse, kids, and the wider family during this difficult time.

The League of Ireland also expressed its condolences to the Keating family.

The League of Ireland expresses heartfelt sorrow upon learning about the unexpected death of Ruairi Keating’s father, Ciaran.

Let us express our deepest sympathies to Ruairi, his dear ones, and everyone at Cork City Football Club during this challenging period.

Due to suffering severe, potentially fatal injuries sustained during a car accident where she was seated upfront, Ciaran’s wife had to be hospitalized and was therefore unable to attend his funeral as a result of her current health predicament.

Dean pleaded guilty after being charged with careless driving causing death and serious injury.

In addition to receiving a suspended sentence, Judge Eoin Garavan also prohibited him from operating a vehicle for a period of two years.

Prior to announcing the verdict, Judge Garavan stated that there was no proof of intoxication, no concerns about excessive speed, and no clear instance of reckless or hazardous driving in the past.

Despite no signs of phone usage by Dean during the accident, he had sent a WhatsApp message just beforehand.

Evidence was also given that showed there were trace elements of cannabis in the driver’s blood.

At the given moment, Dean admitted to the Irish authorities that he had used marijuana a few days prior, during a gathering.

In simpler terms, his advice portrayed the incident as a heart-wrenching catastrophe, indicating that the lives of the Keatings would never be the same again.

The person spoke about how it might be challenging for those who have lost someone to accept an apology, yet a heartfelt letter of regret from Harte was extended, though maybe expectedly, it was turned down.

At the hearing, it was Conall, Ciaran’s son, who recited impact statements on behalf of Ciaran’s wife and their entire family.

She expressed: ‘Ciaran was my soulmate, and he pulsed within me like a constant rhythm. This loss is something I’ll always carry with me, and it will forever change who I am.’

She expressed that the sorrow over Ciaran’s departure will forever linger, and she also mentioned, ‘What was once a joyful dwelling has now become a desolate space.’

In the unfortunate incident that occurred, I found myself en route to Sligo, eagerly anticipating the league game where my son, Ruairi, was set to represent Cork City against Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds.

In the witness stand, Conall, carrying a picture of his deceased father, expressed to Dean that his actions had caused immense sorrow within the Keating clan, describing them as both shocking and beyond comprehension.

Additionally, it was explicitly stated that the Keatings unequivocally declined any apology letter presented by Dean.

After the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, relatives including brothers Gary (Ciaran’s sibling), Conall, and Ruari assembled on the courthouse steps in Castlebar.

Speaking aloud the text on his phone, he expressed: “Today’s verdict served as a grim illustration of the flaws in our justice system.

‘He (Harte) sent a message from his phone while driving at 15:33 pm, the first 999 call was 15:37.

In our nation, there’s a significant issue concerning young males and their driving habits, particularly when using mobile phones behind the wheel.

As a lifestyle advisor, let me share this thought-provoking observation: It’s disheartening to see that an individual could potentially commit a grave crime such as taking another person’s life, yet walk away scot-free, barely facing any consequences. A mere warning or fine might be doled out, and they continue with their daily routines as if nothing of significance transpired. This situation underscores the need for a more equitable justice system that holds all accountable for their actions and ensures that the victims and their families receive appropriate support and restitution.

Then, it’s no surprise that such conduct persists on our highways – fatalities due to road accidents happening weekly throughout Ireland. Truly, it’s farcical.

It’s disappointing that Dean Harte is part of this situation, but even more so, it’s disheartening for everyone who played a role in this process and contributed to the unfortunate result my family experienced today.

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2025-02-20 17:34

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