THE family of a Co Tyrone teenager killed by a dangerous driver have urged people to help their campaign for tougher sentences by taking part in a public consultation.
Enda Dolan (18), from Killyclogher near Omagh, was walking to his student accommodation in south Belfast when he was knocked down in 2014.
The driver David Lee Stewart, who had consumed drink and drugs, drove with the teenager on the roof of his van for about 800 yards before stopping.
He admitted offences including dangerous driving causing the teenager's death and was initially sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison followed by the same period on licence.
The seven-year sentence was later increased on appeal to nine, with half served behind bars.
Enda's father Peter Dolan and his family have been campaigning for the maximum 14-year sentence for death by dangerous driving to be increased to a life sentence.
Mr Dolan yesterday expressed his sympathies with the family of Natasha Carruthers (23) after two men were jailed for causing her death during a high-speed car chase in Co Fermanagh in 2017.
He said they were "slightly encouraged" by the 11 and 12-year sentence lengths and a manslaughter charge being applied to one of the men, but said "there is a long way to go until the punishment reflects the crime".
Stormont's justice department last month launched a public consultation on reviewing sentences, including those for driving offences causing death or serious injury.
Mr Dolan said: "I would like to appeal to the public to read and comment on this document and indeed attend the public consultation events in order to reinforce the point that the current sentencing laws regarding death by dangerous driving are too lenient.
"Unfortunately the format of this document appears extremely complicated, however scroll to chapter 10 and complete the survey.
"Together we might be able to make a difference."
A public consultation event is to be held at Clifton House in Belfast on December 4 and the closing date for written responses is February 3 2020 at 5pm.
Visit justice-ni.gov.uk/consultations/sentencing-review-northern-ireland for further details.
