Mother’s tears for Galway teenager killed in car crash

The mother of a Galway man killed when the car he was a passenger in crashed into a waterlogged drain is still haunted by the thoughts of his final moments.

Nellie McDonagh’s victim impact statement was read out before car driver, Brian McDonagh, was jailed for ten years – two suspended – at Galway Circuit Criminal Court this week.

Thomas McDonagh from Carraroe was 19 years old when he lost his life near Kylemore in the early hours of February 2, last year.

“I wake at night and wonder what happened and did he call for me?  Was he afraid?” Mrs McDonagh said.

“The Gardaí coming into the house and telling us our second son was taken from us, I will never forget. I couldn’t believe what they were saying because I spoke to Thomas an hour beforehand.

“I will never forget his last words to me: ‘Love you Mum.’ I told him I loved him too and to be careful,” she said.

See full court report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.