Northern Ireland

Community service order for motorist (57) who caused death of motorcyclist

Eamon Phillips leaves Belfast Crown Court after being sentenced to 120 hours' community service for causing the death of motorcyclist Richard Brookes
Eamon Phillips leaves Belfast Crown Court after being sentenced to 120 hours' community service for causing the death of motorcyclist Richard Brookes Eamon Phillips leaves Belfast Crown Court after being sentenced to 120 hours' community service for causing the death of motorcyclist Richard Brookes

A father-of-five who caused the death of a motorcyclist has been handed a 120-hour community service order.

Richard Brookes (43) died three days after his Suzuki motorbike was involved in a collision with a Ford Focus driven by Eamon Joseph Phillips.

Newry Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard that it happened on the main Kilkeel to Newcastle road at 11.45am on Sunday May 28 2017.

Phillips (57), from Carrigenagh Road, Kilkeel, was making a right turn onto Pats Road at the time.

Saying that neither men were speeding, and neither vehicles were defective, prosecuting lawyer David McDowell said the Crown accepted that Phillips simply didn't see Mr Brookes on the bike.

He told police at the scene that it was "like something had fallen from the sky."

Mr Brookes was able to provide his name and address and handed over his phone to call his family before being rushed to hospital.

He sustained serious injuries to his ribcage, kidney and leg and while these were initially not deemed life-threatening, he developed a blood clot in his neck which moved to his brain and proved fatal.

When arrested and interviewed, Phillip again said he didn't see the motorcycle but subsequently admitted a charge of causing his death by driving without consideration for other road users.

Mr McDowell spoke of the "devastating loss" Mr Brookes's death has had on his family, adding the collision was "an error of judgement".

Defence barrister Greg Berry offered condolences and sympathy to family and friends on behalf of his client.

Saying that on the morning in question Phillips was heading to his GAA club, Mr Berry said "there was no intention to cause hurt of harm to anybody".

He spoke of "momentary inattention" and said it was never the case that Phillips saw the motorbike and decided to take a chance, but rather that "he simply didn't see Mr Brookes."

Mr Berry concluded by saying Phillips had a clear criminal record, has always been in work, is a valued member of the local community, and that any remorse expressed has been genuine.

Judge Gordon Kerr noted the loss caused by Mr Brookes's death, saying: "It is perfectly clear he was someone who was deeply loved, and affected in a positive way the people who knew him."

He ordered Phillips to undertake 120 hours' community service and banned him from driving for 13 months.

He added: "When a death has occurred, the driver will earn the right to drive again, by passing a further test."