Killer driver said he'd never harm our daughter...

Dad of Debs crash victim reveals former friend's empty promise 8/04/2005

- PAUL HEALY

THE father of Kiea McCann says the driver responsible for her death told him 48 hours before the crash he'd never do anything to harm her.

Kiea, who was 17, died with her 16-year-old best friend Dlava Mohamed after Anthony McGinn, who was bringing them to their Debs ball, ignored their pleas to slow down and hit a tree at Legnakelly, Co Monaghan on July 31, 2023.

Kiea's heartbroken father Frankie, who this week slammed McGinn's seven-year jail term, said: "We were all at a rally in Kildare and he came over to give us a hug.

"He said, 'If I ever done anything to your kids or family I'd kill myself.

"Less than 48 hours later my child and her best friend are dead."

Monaghan Circuit Court heard how McGinn drove at over twice the speed limit at 151kph - and how two survivors recalled how the terrified girls begged him to slow down.

Mr McCann added: "If you want to drive hard there are race tracks.

"Before people want to drive they should just think of the consequences.

RABID

"It's the aftermath for families. If you're going to get in drink, take drugs and get behind the wheel of a car remember you're not the only driver on the road. A split second is all it takes to kill and it doesn't just kill you or others, it kills your family."