‘It’s heartbreaking’ – Family of hit-and-run victim speak out as driver jailed

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Martin Sean O'Lali has been jailed for causing the death by careless driving of 42-year-old Richard Boyle in 2021.

O'Lali, 28 of Breton Court in Lisburn, was sentenced to two years and seven months in relation to what the judge described in court as a "shameful litany of events".

Belfast Crown Court heard he would serve half the sentence in custody before being released on licence. He was also disqualified from driving for three years.

Richard was walking his dog on the Stewartstown Road in February 2021 when he was hit by O'Lali's car which, the court heard, had been travelling at 90mph in a 30mph zone.

His mother, Mary Boyle, said after sentencing that she was "broken".

"I've got his ashes, I've got his dog's ashes, pictures on the walls, candles," she said.

"I talk to him every night. I look at his photograph and talk to him. It's heartbreaking."

Passing sentence, Judge Mark Reel told the court: "There is no sentence that will ever bring Mr Boyle back to his loved ones."