THE family of Enda Dolan met justice minister Claire Sugden yesterday to discuss tougher sentences for killer drink drivers.
Peter Dolan said it was a "positive meeting" and allowed them to describe their experience of the judicial system following the death of his 18-year-old son.
The meeting at Stormont marked another step in a campaign to increase the maximum sentence for drunk drivers who cause death.
Enda, from Killyclogher, Co Tyrone, was hit by David Lee Stewart and carried 800 yards on his van on the Malone Road in south Belfast in October 2014.
Stewart, from Grays Park Avenue in Belfast, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison followed by the same period on licence.
Currently, the maximum sentence which can be issued to a drunk driver who has knocked someone down, killing them, is 14 years.
Earlier this month Ms Sugden announced a review around sentencing, including causing death by dangerous driving.
"It was a positive meeting in which the minister listened to what we had to say," said Mr Dolan.
"We discussed the sentencing review she is proposing and talked about our experience in relation to the court procedure we went through.
"It was pretty much a listening process, we told her our views of the legal arena and the archaic manner in which things are done in court, which all needs to be addressed.
"Our major issue was the extent of the sentencing, which we believe should be increased from 14 years to 20 years, as well as the extension to the driving ban - we believe it should be increased also.
"It was important to us to let her hear our experience and how we need a way forward on increasing sentences.
"She was aware of the groundswell of support for us and we hope it is a step forward."
