Just two weeks after the parents of Enda Dolan expressed disquiet at the sentence handed down to the drunk driver who killed their son, the courts are again criticised following the outcome of another tragic case.
On Tuesday, Tyrone man Paul Nicholl (50) was given two and a half years in prison at Omagh Crown Court for causing the death of 62-year-old Patsy McCroary.
Mr McCroary, born in Castlefin but who settled in Castlederg, was described as a man who lived for his family and the GAA.
Just days before his death he was hailed as `Donegal's number one supporter' during a Dr McKenna Cup game against Tyrone in Letterkenny.
However, the happiness of this family was shattered when Nicholl, who was two and a half times over the drink-drive limit, lost control of his Suzuki 4x4 and crashed into a car carrying Mr McCroary, his wife, son and daughter in January 2014.
Sadly, Patsy McCroary was killed and his family suffered severe injuries, his wife Geraldine was unable to go to her husband's funeral.
Mr McCroary's daughter, Samantha, said the sentence in this case was an`insult' adding her family `felt let down by the justice system.'
It has to be acknowledged that nothing can ever compensate for the devastating loss of a life but some families clearly feel the sentencing guidelines in drink-driving cases are wholly inadequate.
The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years but a range of factors, including a guilty plea, can have a dramatic impact on the eventual term.
Bereaved families would argue that factors such as a lack of remorse and the level of alcohol consumed should ensure a killer driver gets a more severe penalty.
There is plainly an issue here for the justice system and legislators in terms of sentencing policy.
But there also needs to be a look at how the justice system engages with relatives to ensure they feel part of the process and their views fully considered.
