TWO drivers have been warned they face jail after pleading guilty to causing the death of a pensioner in Co Down two years ago.
Che McManus (21), of Carriff Court, Downpatrick, and Daryl Kirton (23), of Drumnaconagher Road, Crossgar, were due to go on trial on Thursday accused of causing the death of Patrick Wilkinson by dangerous driving.
However, defence lawyers for both men applied to Downpatrick Crown Court to have their clients re-arraigned.
When the charge of causing the 72-year-old's death by dangerous driving in June 2014 was put to McManus, he replied "Guilty''.
Kirton replied: "Not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, but guilty to causing death by careless driving.''
He further pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mr Wilkinson whilst driving with no insurance.
Prosecution counsel David McDowell said the guilty pleas were accepted by the Crown.
He added that a second charge McManus faced of causing the death of Mr Wilkinson by careless driving was now "struck out''.
The victim was originally from Ballinderry, where he was described as a highly respected man known for skill in fixing lawnmowers.
A keen follower of Ballinderry Shamrocks GAA club, he had moved to Co Down to be with his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren and was struck by a car outside the family farm on the Killard Road just outside Ballyhornan.
The pensioner had been standing next to his son-in-law Pat Magee when he was hit during what was claimed at the time to have been a race between two cars.
Mr Magee said after the collision: "He was flung 50-odd feet down the road. What killed Paddy saved me. Nobody should have to go through that."
Judge Piers Grant ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing next month.
Releasing the two defendants on continuing bail, he warned them: "It is almost inevitable that a custodial sentence will be imposed in this case.
"Because I am releasing you on bail should not be misinterpreted that you will receive anything other than a custodial sentence.
"The custodial sentence to be imposed will be determined by what I hear on December 21.''
