Ms Justice Eileen Creedon said the Westmeath man's relationship with the complainants' older sister 'allowed him to exploit these three young girls' and it was 'an egregious abuse of trust'
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16 Feb 2026
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16 Feb 2026
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James Murtagh/ RTE Video
Last year, a total of 185 people lost their lives in fatal collisions on Irish public roads, according to the Road Safety Authority of Ireland.
Research by the RSA also found that one in 10 Irish motorists drunk drove in the twelve months of 2023.
One man is lucky to be alive after he got behind the wheel of his car intoxicated by alcohol in 2018.
His story represents the shocking reality of the serious consequences drunk driving can cause as he is left without an arm and leg.
James Murtagh, who is 30 years old, has had his life turned upside down after one bad decision left him disabled and in constant pain every day.
James has shared his story with RTE to warn others to never ever drink and drive.
"In 2018 I hopped into a car and drank drove....and this was the result," James told RTE in a video interview clip.
"My arm came off in the accident so they found me lying on the ground outside my car...my arm was still in the car.
"My message for people is do not even consider drink driving or don't let your friends convince you into doing it or anything like that because this is the extent of what will happen to you.
James told RTE that he had a long hard road ahead of him at the start of his recovery journey. He thanks the "good people" around him and his children who gave him a reason to start doing better.
"It was very tough for the first year...I didn't know what I was doing...where my life was going to go.....how was I going to provide for my family....I can't do the work that I used to do," he told RTE.
"I'd highly advise people not to be so stupid or else this will happen to you.
"My right leg had to be amputated, my left leg has extensive damage to it....I'm in constant pain every single day with my arm from trauma and nerve damage....I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy," James said in his interview with RTE.
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