A west Belfast man has been imprisoned for causing the death of a 42-year-old pedestrian in a hit-and-run collision while the victim was walking his dog. Martin Sean O'Lali, aged 28 and residing at Breton Court in Lisburn, received a custodial sentence of two years and seven months at Belfast Crown Court following the fatal incident in 2021.
Richard Boyle was struck by O'Lali's vehicle on the Stewartstown Road in February 2021. The court established that the car was travelling at 90 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour zone at the moment of impact. O'Lali will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence, and has been prohibited from driving for three years.
The victim's family has expressed their profound grief and anger at the circumstances surrounding the incident. Richard's mother, Mary Boyle, described the emotional toll of losing her son in such devastating circumstances.
I've got his ashes, I've got his dog's ashes, pictures on the walls, candles. I talk to him every night. I look at his photograph and talk to him. It's heartbreaking.
The family has characterised O'Lali as demonstrating no remorse for his actions, describing him as a person whose behaviour reflected a callous disregard for human life.
What the judge said
In delivering the sentence, Judge Mark Reel referred to the case as involving a "shameful litany of events" and acknowledged the irreversible nature of the tragedy.
There is no sentence that will ever bring Mr Boyle back to his loved ones.The judge's remarks underscored the gravity of the offence and its lasting impact on those bereaved by the collision.
Key facts
- Richard Boyle, 42, was fatally struck while walking his dog on the Stewartstown Road in February 2021
- Martin Sean O'Lali's vehicle was travelling at 90 mph in a 30 mph zone at the time of the collision
- O'Lali received a sentence of two years and seven months, with half to be served in custody
- He has been disqualified from driving for three years following his release
- The victim's family has expressed deep grief and stated that the driver showed no remorse for the incident
