Drink drive death wiped out Galway family’s dreams too

The heartbroken boyfriend and mother of a 24 year old woman killed by a drunk driver have pleaded with young people not to get behind the wheel of a car while drinking under any circumstances.

Almost a year ago while walking home from an after-wedding party, Tracey Melia was mowed down by neighbour Stephen Flaherty after he admitted to drinking up to 15 pints at the celebration in Peggy’s Bar at Aughclogheen, Corrandulla.

Ironically, Tracey and her boyfriend of five years John McDonough, had left the party just after midnight and decided to walk to her parents’ house less than a mile away as they had both had a few drinks.

John said the couple had climbed into the grass verge ditch after they heard the car speeding towards them despite the approaching bend.

“I heard the car revving and from that I knew it was coming fast. I had the torch light on my phone and we were waiting for the car but it wasn’t slowing. We just went up on verge and held onto each other until the whole car just came up on the bank,” he recalled.

John was knocked unconscious, while Tracey was killed instantly and thrown to the road.

Twenty one year old Stephen Flaherty fled the scene.

He was sentenced to five years in prison with the last year suspended and was disqualified from driving for 20 years, by Judge Karen O’Connor at Galway Circuit Criminal Court this week.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.