Pomeroy man pleads guilty to causing death of six-year-old son by dangerous driving

A Pomeroy man has pleaded guilty at Derry Crown Court to a charge of death by dangerous driving which resulted in the death of his six-year-old son.

Declan McCourt (47) of Bardahessiagh Road, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving of Ethan McCourt on roads between the Magherafelt bypass and the Castledawson roundabout on June 20, 2022.

He was also charged with causing the death of Ethan McCourt by driving without a valid licence on the same date.

When the charges were put to him McCourt pleaded guilty to both charges.

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said that this was “a distressing case in the extreme”.

He added his client had “complete remorse” for what happened in this case.

McCourt faced a mandatory disqualification from driving from today's date.

Judge Roseanne McCormick KC addressed the members of the public present in connection with this case.

She told them the court offered 'sympathy for your loss' and commended them “for your dignity”.

The case was adjourned until November 5 for a date to be fixed for sentencing and McCourt was released on bail.