THE uncle of a 14-year-old girl who died in a farm accident in Co Armagh has been fined £15,000.
Abbie Nummy was killed in November 2019 after she was hit by a tractor being driven by another child.
Derek Nummy of Altnaveigh Road in Newry pleaded guilty in March to allowing a child to operate machinery as well as failing to prevent health and safety risks.
The BBC report that a manslaughter charge was left on the books by the prosecution.
As well as the fine, the tractor has been forfeited with the proceeds donated to the Air Ambulance NI charity.
Sentenced in Newry Crown Court on Friday, Judge Peter Irvine said the fine “cannot compensate in any way for the tragic loss of Abbie”.
Stating that he did not believe a custodial or suspended sentence was appropriate, he added: "There is nothing this court can say or do which can reduce the undoubted pain and suffering of her parents, brother and sister and wider family circle.”
The court also heard that Mr Nummy had treated his niece as “one of his own” and had been left “haunted by the events of what happened that day.”
On the day of the accident, Abbie and another child had been helping their uncle on their grandfather’s farm.
Mr Nummy had not been on the yard at the time when a 12-year-old child drove a shovel-type tractor which crushed the young girl.
A prosecutor called it “grossly inadequate” that Mr Nummy had been some distance away and showed a “wilful blindness” to risks and had prevented a young child driving heavy machinery.
A defence barrister had said he only allowed the child to drive the equipment under his supervision, and that he had been left “devastated” by the accident.
They added: "He is acutely aware of the full extent of the tragedy of the case and its implications for the immediate family."
Delivering his sentencing, Judge Irvine said he read a statement from Abbey’s father with “enormous sadness”.
"He states, 'My life and my family life changed forever that day and will never be the same again'".
He also acknowledged the defendant had no criminal record and was “clearly genuinely remorseful for what has happened.”
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