Cork court: Man whose dangerous driving caused the death of Paudie Palmer is sentenced
Paudie Palmer's daughter said their father was "the cornerstone of our family – our mentor, supporter and guiding star." Picture Denis Boyle
A six-year-jail term was imposed today on the Ukrainian national whose dangerous driving caused the death of GAA broadcaster Paudie Palmer – as the family said the accused hurt them more by blaming their loved one for what happened.
Judge Jonathan Dunphy said, “This tragic case related to December 29 2022 at Dunkereen Cross, Innishannon, when Mr Palmer was driving his Peugeot car along a road he was very familiar with when the defendant exited from a minor road on to the main road and was found guilty of dangerous driving causing death.”
One of the aggravating factors in the case was a video made by the accused man, 35-year-old Bohdan Bezverkhyi, the previous day where he recorded himself driving the same BMW 5 series car at Curraheen, County Cork, at speeds of 200 kilometres per hour, to which he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
In relation to the day of the crash that caused Paudie Palmer’s death, the accused man pleaded guilty to four charges related to leaving the scene of the crash after witnessing the late Mr Palmer’s car turning over.
Further aggravating factors consisted of texts sent by the accused to family and friends shortly after the collision.
In those texts he variously stated, “I am in the wrong 100%, I drove off, I was drunk, there is no excuse for me, I am guilty of it all.” “I will be jailed. I left the scene of a traffic accident, drunk.” “I am a moron. I am guilty of it all. Don’t know what happened to the people. I am blaming myself for driving off." “Left the scene of the accident. Was pissed."
Judge Dunphy disqualified the accused from driving for ten years and imposed a seven-and-a-half-year jail sentence with the last year and a half suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. It was backdated to December 29 2022 as the accused has been in custody since then.
Mitigating factors raised by defence senior counsel Seamus Roche included the absence of previous convictions and the fact that it would be more difficult for a non-national to serve a jail term in a country where he effectively had no family support.
The late Mr Palmer’s brother, John – on behalf of brothers, Denis, Richie and himself – said, “Every aspect of this horrific road traffic accident is very difficult to deal with, and what makes it even worse (if that’s possible) is the fact that the guilty party drove away from the scene of the accident leaving our brother fatally injured in his overturned car on an embankment. The guilty party admitted to his mother and friends in text messages that he had “left the scene of traffic accident drunk”.
“It’s very clear to us from transcripts of the guilty party’s text messages, that he was only concerned about himself and demonstrates no concern whatsoever for our poor brother Paudie.
“There are so many upsetting aspects to this horrid moment in our life – the guilty party went through a stop sign, causing Paudie’s car to spin and collide with the embankment, admitted in text messages that he was drunk, drove away from the scene of the accident and then refused to plead guilty to the charge of dangerous driving causing death.
“When the summer season kicked in, Paudie was on the airwaves where we would all tune in to listen to his magic commentary on big games. He had the ability to turn a bad game into a good game... We will never hear that magic commentary again.”
The late Mr Palmer’s daughter, Claire, said on behalf of the family including her mother Colette and sister Emily today, “Moments before this accident, after spending his first and last Christmas with his first grandchild, Lucas, he left our home to meet a work colleague for a simple coffee and a catch-up. He shared his usual morning moment with my mother with a big wave goodbye and a cheeky smile. He was struck by a vehicle that then left the scene only 500 metres from our family house, never to return alive again.
“Our father was the cornerstone of our family – our mentor, supporter and guiding star. His wisdom shaped who we are as adults. His death has left a void in our identities and lives. As a result of Dad’s sudden and horrific departure, our family dynamics have shifted significantly.
“I got married to my own best friend and now husband Nicolas several weeks ago having postponed last year’s date following those heartbreaking few months before. Not having your father walk you down the aisle, which is every girl’s dream, was simply heartbreaking. Having to place my father’s buttonhole of flowers on his grave instead of my mother pinning it to his suit was utterly distressing, on a day that should have been the happiest day in our family’s lives.
“Our mother has had to forcefully put on a brave face to tell us all we’ll be okay while she’s struggling so deeply herself.
The family found the trial (and the previous trial that ended suddenly at the eleventh hour when a juror investigated the scene on a lone visit to the crash scene) hard to take.
“To hear our father being blamed for this incident was very offensive. A man who had only the respect of every single person he came in contact with. Not just the county but the entire country grieved when they heard the news of Dad’s tragic passing – “a pillar of society”, “the voice of Cork”.
“To hear our father being blamed for this accident is hurtful and even at this late stage, if the accused man had shown any sign of remorse and could at least realise the effect his actions have had – obviously on our father, but on the rest of us for the remainder of our lives - it would be some comfort. But this remorse has never been seen.
“We are immensely grateful to the first responders and passersby who were present at the scene of the accident. Your effort to help our father will never be forgotten.
“To all in Bandon garda station, particularly Manus O’Donnell and Michelle O’Connor, who have guided us through such a difficult time and continue to do so. To all in Cork University Hospital, especially the staff in the A&E and ICU, whose dedication and care go unnoticed until one faces such a tragedy.
“To the whole community of Innishannon and indeed the country, your messages of condolences and constant letters on how Dad impacted your daily lives have been of huge comfort and continue to be.
“All of Dad’s colleagues at St. Brogan’s, Bandon, C103 and 96FM, The Evening Echo, The Bandon Opinion and Valley Rovers – not to forget his colleagues at The Celtic Ross Hotel – your support has been so thoughtful and cherished, and we know you all are grieving a significant loss as well.
“As we navigate through this tumultuous period, my hope is for justice to be served today, not only as a legal necessity but as a crucial step in our healing process.”
Detective Garda Manus O’Donnell went through the circumstances of the incident whereby the accused drove on to the road from a minor road guided by a stop sign and caused the death of Mr Palmer, and then driving away from the scene. The detective also described the accused video recording himself the previous day driving the BMW that he bought two weeks earlier at speeds in excess of 200 kilometres per hour at Curraheen, County County Cork.
Bohdan Bezverkhyi, of Rigsdale House, Rigsdale, Ballinhassig, County Cork, pleaded not guilty to the charge of dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Palmer at Dunkereen Cross, Innishannon, Co Cork, on December 29 2022.
Mr Palmer was fatally injured as his car ended up overturned on an embankment at the junction near his home, having been in a collision with the defendant's car which was then driven from the scene.
The seven women and five men who deliberated for approximately five hours returned to Cork Circuit Criminal Court on April 18 with their unanimous guilty verdict on what was the seventh day of the trial.
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