A Ballyjamesduff man has been jailed for causing the death of a pensioner in a crash in Tyrone in 2017.
24 year old Brian Lynch of Cloggagh, Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan was extradited to Northern Ireland after he failed to show for his original sentencing date in May of last year.
69 year old Margaret McLaughlin was killed in the crash outside Strabane on April 24th, 2017.
Brain Lynch had pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and had admitted not having insurance or the appropriate licence for the 18-foot cattle lorry he was driving at the time.
He had just bought the cattle lorry when he drove through a red light at the junction of the Great Northern Link and Urney Road, in the border town before hitting the car in which Mrs McLaughlin was a front seat passenger.
Although rushed to hospital, she died from chest injuries early the following morning.
The sentence hearing held yesterday heard from letters written by Ms McLaughlin's family, who expressed distress at the delay in the case.
Judge Brian Sherrard QC said he could see "no justification in suspending" Mr Lynch's sentence and the delay in sentencing was, "Principally caused by you equivocating on pleading guilty then absenting yourself".
Defence Counsel said the "timely guilty plea", spared the necessity of a trial, adding Mr Lynch wanted to "make clear his apology and profound regret".
Judge Sherrard sentenced Brian Lynch to two years in custody, followed by two years on licence. He was also banned from driving for three years.
