Sentence in Dolan case 'unduly lenient', court told

David Lee Stewart, the man responsible for student Enda Dolan's death should have been given a tougher sentence, DPP director says.

The man responsible for the death of Killyclogher student Enda Dolan, should have a received a tougher sentence, that's according to Director of Public Prosecutions, Barra McGrory.

A hearing into the sentencing of David Lee Stewart took place in Belfast's Court of Appeal last Friday. 

Enda Dolan was killed after the van, driven by Stewart, mounted the footpath on the Malone Road in Belfast in October of 2014.

He'd only just started his first term at University.

Stewart had taken drugs and up to thirteen alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel - he also continued to drive after hitting the student, carrying the County Tyrone several hundred metres before stopping.

In April of this year, David Lee Stewart was handed a seven-year sentence - only half of which was to be served behind bars.

That sentence has now been described as "unduly lenient" by Northern Ireland's top prosecutor - Barra McGrory.

Reacting to news from the hearing, West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said the Dolan family "deserve justice for their son".

“I have met with the Dolan family on many occasions throughout this nightmare and I know first-hand how difficult this is for them. They have lost their beloved son Enda through no fault of his own and those responsible for his death have not received the justice they truly deserve," he said.

“The sentences handed down were unduly lenient to say the least and this sparked massive public outcry and I am glad that the judges yesterday acknowledged that," he added.

“It is now imperative that the record is put straight and that those responsible for his death experience the full extent of the law. Although the judgement is reserved, I am sure that the judges considering the case, led by Sir Declan Morgan, will consider the sentencing in detail, the crimes that took place and come back with a decision that echoes the public outcry and provides the justice that the Dolan family deserve and have longed for," he said.

LISTEN: West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan speaks to Q radio's Paul Gill about the case, its implications and the impact it's had on the family of Enda Dolan.