Northern Ireland

Ballycastle road deaths: Shane Kinney (22) warned he faces jail

Robin Wilson who was killed in the crash
Robin Wilson who was killed in the crash Robin Wilson who was killed in the crash

A 22-YEAR-OLD man faces going to prison after he confessed to causing a road crash which killed two other men.

Shane Kinney, of Drones Road in Armoy, Co Antrim, pleaded guilty at Antrim Crown Court to causing the deaths of Robin Wilson (26), from Armoy, and Johnny Black (19), from Glenshesk near Ballycastle, more than two years ago.

He also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily injury to two women injured in the crash - Clodagh Arbuckle and Denise Dunlop.

Judge Desmond Marrinan said Kinney's parents Sharon and Kevin may also be jailed after they admitted to perverting the course of justice.

Kevin Kinney (52) admitted to removing his son's car from Carrickmore Road in Ballycastle and obtaining parts to have the car repaired.

Sharon Kinney (50) also admitted to removing her son's car.

The admissions were made as their trial was due to start yesterday.

The fatal three-car crash happened on Cushendall Road in Ballycastle at about 3.40am on Easter Monday, April 6 2015.

An earlier court hearing heard two cars in which Mr Wilson and Mr Black had been travelling were found at the scene.

A police investigation revealed a blue Volkswagen Golf belonging to Mr Kinney was also involved.

He presented himself to police two days after the crash but no damage was found on his car.

But officers believed car parts were stolen from a scrap yard in Armoy to fix Mr Kinney's car.

Forensic evidence later matched the parts to a car in the yard.

During yesterday's bail application, Judge Marrinan said Shane Kinney had not intended to cause the men's deaths but to "engage in some form of race".

Granting bail to all three Kinneys, the judge said they would get some credit for pleading guilty. A sentencing hearing will be held on September 1.

Speaking outside the court, Johnny Black's father Seamus said the family had "got some form of justice today but we have not got Johnny".

"I sat at his funeral but he was my son, he was my friend and he was my business partner," he said.

"We have got some form of justice but it will not bring him back."

Speaking on behalf of Robin Wilson's family, Constable Jonathan McKeever, said they were glad to "finally get closure".

"Sadly they have lost their son Robin through this," he said.

He said the family also wanted to "express their sadness" to the Black and Arbuckle families.