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Enda Dolan: Pair had nine court hearings before pleading guilty

David Lee Stewart was jailed on Wednesday for offences including causing Enda Dolan's death by dangerous driving
David Lee Stewart was jailed on Wednesday for offences including causing Enda Dolan's death by dangerous driving David Lee Stewart was jailed on Wednesday for offences including causing Enda Dolan's death by dangerous driving

THE men convicted over the death of Enda Dolan had at least nine court hearings before they were required to enter a plea on the charges.

David Lee Stewart and William Ross Casement first attended court in August 2015 – nearly a year after being arrested for the shocking hit-and-run.

The pair were only formally asked for a plea to the counts they faced in March this year, just over a month before being sentenced on Wednesday.

The Dolan family have condemned the legal system and the way it treats victims' families.

There has been widespread anger in particular over the sentences handed down over the Queen's University student's death in October 2014.

Stewart (31) received a three-and-a-half year jail term, followed by the same period on licence, while Casement (21) walked free with 50 hours' community service and two years on probation.

The pair had been drinking heavily before Stewart mowed down the 18-year-old from Killyclogher as he walked to his student accommodation.

He and his passenger Casement only stopped after carrying the teenager on the van for 800 yards, but then sped off from the scene before crashing again.

Enda's family said they are "disgusted" with the sentences, adding: "The legal system in Northern Ireland is a disgrace and should be addressed."

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) confirmed that it has "received correspondence outlining concerns over the sentences passed in this case".

"The matters raised will be examined carefully in line with our protocols around unduly lenient sentences in the Crown Court."

A decision on whether to appeal the sentences rests with Barra McGrory, the north's director of public prosecutions.

He has the power to ask the Court of Appeal in certain cases to review a sentence for being unduly lenient.

An application must be made within 28 days from the date the sentence was imposed, in this case by May 25.

Stewart had nine court hearings and Casement had 10 before they were required to enter guilty pleas to the charges they faced.

The PPS said this arraignment stage is the first opportunity for formal pleas to charges.

Stewart, of Gray's Park Avenue in Belfast, admitted five offences including dangerous driving causing the death of Enda.

Casement, of Belvoir Drive in Belfast, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting dangerous driving, and aiding and abetting failing to stop at the scene.

Both showed little emotion as they were sentenced at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday.

Judge Gordon Kerr branded Stewart's behaviour "appalling" but said he accepted that "remorse is genuine".

However, Enda's father Peter said there had been "absolutely no remorse" until last week and said the family have been "left with a life sentence".

On Thursday the Attorney General told The Irish News he should be given new powers to challenge unduly lenient sentences.

John Larkin can instead only "lament the death of Enda Dolan, a young man of so much talent and promise," his spokeswoman said.