Seven years jail for death driver

The four young people who died in the crash

A Fermanagh man who admitted killing four friends by dangerous driving has been jailed for seven years.

Daniel McDonnell, 21, from Galloon Gardens, Newtownbutler, was also banned from driving for 12 years.

He was drunk and speeding when he lost control of his car and it crashed into a tree on the Moorlough Road, Lisnaskea, on 2 July 2006.

Peter Leonard and Jonathan McDonald, both 21, Anita Swift, 16, and Danica O'Rourke, 17, died in the accident.

A front seat passenger was seriously injured.

McDonnell changed his plea to guilty as his trial was about to start last month.

As he sentenced him, Judge David McFarland expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased.

Daniel McDonnell pleaded guilty last month

He said: "Each has suffered the loss of a loved one, taken from them in tragic circumstances.

"Their loss has touched the hearts of the entire community in Fermanagh and throughout Northern Ireland."

The judge said he had received letters from the families of the victims and from the young man who was seriously injured in the crash.

Judge McFarland told McDonnell: "There is a difference between genuine remorse and feeling anguish for one's predicament following the commission of a crime.

"It is difficult to see any evidence of real remorse on your part".

Outside the court, Inspector Ian Kennedy said he was pleased the matter had been concluded.

"It is gratifying that the judge has seen fit to hand out what is a reasonably heavy sentence in relation to other cases in Northern Ireland.

"I think the families themselves have a degree of satisfaction they've got some justice for their children and for themselves."

The families said they hoped the sentence would send out a clear message to other young drivers.