A GROOMSMAN pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of a Limerick man on the morning of his wedding.
Shane Harty (21), of Tola Park, Shannon, County Clare, pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving causing the death of Myles ‘Miley’ Harty (20), on August 21, 2021.
It’s understood the defendant and the deceased were first cousins.
Shane Harty, then in his late teens, was driving a silver Skoda hatchback, carrying Myles Harty in the front passenger seat and another man in the rear of the car, when the vehicle left the road and hit a pole, killing the groom instantly.
The fatal single-vehicle collision occurred at about 1am on the date in question, at Cragmore, on the R518 Askeaton to Rathkeale road.
Gardaí 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 in Limerick City.
A few hours before her fiancé’s death, 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.”
Later the following afternoon, the heartbroken bride-to-be went to the church where a large gathering of family and friends supported her and played the couple’s favourite songs.
Blue heart-shaped balloons inscribed with ‘King For A Day’, in respect of Myles Harty’s scheduled wedding, and others inscribed with the number 20, in reference to his age, were released into the sky over St Munchin’s Church.
Askeaton Parish Priest Fr Sean O’Longaigh described Mr Harty’s tragic death at the time as “very sad for the families”.
About a month after his death, Myles Harty’s fiancée announced on her social media account that she was expecting his “miracle baby”.
Posting an online tribute to Mr Harty, on the one-month anniversary of his death, Ms Quilligan wrote: “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 knew you wouldn’t just leave me, so you left me a part of you.”
“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.”
Ms Quilligan and Myles Harty’s parents were present in the court when Shane Harty was arraigned before Judge Colin Daly and pleaded guilty.
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 November 18.
