A dad whose daughter was killed in a hit and run has made a plea for safety on roads this Christmas and asked motorists not to get behind the wheel whilst intoxicated.
A crackdown on people who drive under the influence of drink or drugs is planned for this Christmas as new figures confirm a 17% rise in offences. Marsia Lieghio, 16, from Clondalkin in Dublin died after she was hit by a car while crossing the road on October 16, 2005.
Her father Leo Leighio, a member of the Irish Road Victims Association, called for tougher sentencing. He told Newstalk FM: “There should be double penalty points and if they are repeat offenders their car should be impounded.
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"It is 17 years since Marsia was taken away from us. It is a thing you never get over.
“I say we are members of a club that none of us wanted to be in. We should never have met each other.”
The person who hit Marcia – who had a previous conviction for driving under the influence – was found guilty of careless driving and served 20 months in jail.
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