THERE were emotional scenes in court as 21-year-old Daniel O'Riordan from Bellurgan Point was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the deaths of George Campbell (64) and 17-yearold Dave Keenan.

A jury of six men and six women took almost three hours to convict O'Riordan on all seven charges relating to the accident at Annaloughan, Jenkinstown on March 25th 2007.

As the verdict was read out, both the Keenan and Campbell families sobbed in court, bringing to an end a three year fight for justice for their loved ones.

In sentencing O'Riordan, Sgt Brendan Keane gave evidence as to the impact the loss of both men had had on their families.

'The Keenan family have been absolutely devastated by the loss, and they have found it difficult to cope with the trauma.'

The court heard that the teenager's mother believed he (David) was asleep in his room on the night of the accident, as he was there when she went to bed after midnight.

He had just celebrated his birthday the week before the accident and he was due to begin working with his father as a landscape gardener.

The Campbell family have also been deeply affected by the death of George in the tragic collision which happened as he was turning his car into his own driveway.

Sgt Keane told the court that Mr Campbell was married with one grown up daughter. He was also a grandfather, and was looking forward to the birth of his second grandchild.

He was described as being someone who was 'very good with his hands' and would have done a lot of DIY work for his neighbours and people living in the area.

'Mrs Campbell had been bereaved, and left without the companionship of her husband at an age when they could rightly have expected to spend the rest of their days together.'

Sgt Keane also said that gardaí were 'very well aware' of the O'Riordan family and outlined that Daniel O'Riordan had 23 previous convictions.