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28th Jan 2017

Driver with nearly 500 convictions sent to prison for 18 months for teenager’s death

Eamon Lynch has close to 500 convictions

Rebecca Keane

Teenager Shane Patton was killed in 2012 following a critical hit from Eamon Lynch’s car.

Eamon Lynch was driving at speeds averaging 100mph with no insurance or driving licence on in July 2012 when he hit the car of Shane Patton.

According to the BBC, father of three Eamon Lynch had 483 convictions before the incident – including charges of drunk driving, burglary and driving without the possession of an NCT. n court on Thursday, judge Martin

On the night of the incident, Lynch and his partner were reportedly travelling on the Ballbofey to Letterkenny road, where he crashed into the side of Patton’s vehicle. Shane Patton was rushed to hospital but was later declared dead.

In court on Thursday, judge Martin Nolan gave Eamon Lynch a sentence of 18 months in prison for the crime.

Shane’s mother Julie told the court of her heartbreak.

“He was my first born. He lived life to the full. He just wanted everyone to be happy and enjoy life…

“He told me his biggest fear on the roads was drunk drivers, because they have no regard for anyone else.”

“I thought I would have to teach Shane about the world, but I now have to teach the world about Shane.

“I have to tell people that it is not okay to drink and drive, because it destroys families.

“There is no quick fix and no getting over it. There is no glue to fix all the broken hearts.”