Driver who caused death of Ballina cyclist sentenced

FAMILY MAN The late Patrick McHale.

A man who lived for his family and his community was remembered in Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court last week, when his wife told the court that the death of her soulmate and best friend had left her family devastated.
Patrick McHale (53) of Knockanilaun, Ballina, was hit by a vehicle while out cycling at Rathroeena on the R314 Ballina-to-Killala Road on May 28, 2017. He died two days later in hospital.
At last week’s court sitting, after being found guilty of careless driving causing death, the driver of the vehicle, Nuala Delaney-Whelan (59) of Ballyknock, Ballycastle, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. She was also banned from driving for four years.
Judge Rory McCabe said that a prison sentence, fine or driving ban are small penalties for the loss of a life. He noted that there had been no expression of remorse from the guilty party before the court date, and he added that he had listened very carefully to Ms Delaney-Whelan’s statement in court and felt she didn’t accept she had done anything wrong.

Victim impact
Colette McHale, Patrick McHale’s widow, read a powerful victim-impact statement into the record, which set out the timeline of the day Ms Delaney-Whelan’s car collided with Patrick McHale while he was out cycling.
Patrick McHale had completed some farm work, gone to Mass, spoken with friends, come home and then headed out for a cycle. Usually, Colette McHale would have accompanied her husband, but this day she picked up a friend from Knock Airport before going for a cycle with another friend.
While on her cycle, she received a text message informing her of Patrick’s accident. She said that when she got to Castlebar Hospital, she was quickly told that her husband’s life couldn’t be saved. She then described the moment her sons set eyes on their father. “It was the hardest moment a mother will ever face. That hopeless feeling of watching part of both my sons dying before me,” she said.
Colette McHale then described how she contacted her daughter in Australia and had to keep some of the details from her. “I had to leave Melody with some hope. She had a 36-hour trip ahead of her and she had to have something to keep her going.”
Mr McHale survived against the odds until his daughter arrived in Castlebar on May 30, and once again there were harrowing scenes when the reality of the situation became clear.
“I met her in the corridor and prepared her as well as I could, but when she walked into ICU I saw something die in my youngest child.”
There followed a moment which had a lasting effect on the family. “As soon as Melody touched Patrick a clear tear ran from his left eye. He had waited for Melody.”
Later that evening, the life support machine was turned off, and more than 30 people gathered around his bed to bid farewell to a man who had lived his life for his family, his community and numerous charities. Mr McHale’s organs were donated for transplantation.

‘I fear for the future’
Colette McHale went on to outline how much life has changed since the loss of her husband. Plans to visit Australia, trek to Base Camp on Everest and climb Kilimanjaro together have been replaced by sleepless nights and nightmares, she said. She has been unable to keep the farm going, and after generations of effort she has had to sell the stock.
“I have struggled and I fear for the future,” she said.
Diarmuid Connolly, counsel for Ms Delaney-Whelan, said his client felt huge remorse even though it might not have been seen by those most affected. He said she felt guilt and will live with the absolute knowledge that she caused the death of Mr McHale.
Judge McCabe imposed an 18-month suspended jail sentence and a four-year driving ban.