A 33-year-old man whose dangerous and drunken driving in a stolen car killed a West Belfast great-grandfather was sentenced to 10 years today.
Michael Loughran - who was deemed dangerous due to the ongoing risk he presents to the public - will serve an additional three years on licence when he is released.
Following a drink-and-drugs binge, Loughran stole his uncle's silver Vauxhall Vectra at around 10.30am on Saturday August 3 last year.
After driving dangerously on several roads in West Belfast for around an hour and a half, he lost control of the car and killed 70-year old Seamus Conlon.
The popular pensioner had just attended a funeral in the City Cemetery when he was struck and killed on the Whiterock Road.
Loughran was detained at the scene after attempting to flee and in the aftermath of the fatal collosion, displayed behaviour described by Judge Stephen Fowler QC as "provocative and shameful".
As he sentenced Loughran to 10 years, with an extended period of three years on licence, Judge Fowler noted that Loughran has continued to take drugs in prison.
Speaking outside Belfast Crown Court after sentence was passed, Mr Conlon's daughter Geraldine said: "I'm pleased with the outcome, but it will not bring my Daddy back."
