On February 26, 2016, Sean Doyle tragically died in an accident involving a sulky cart on a public road. He was only 12 years old at the time, BreakingNews.ie reports.
Sean and two others were in a sulky cart on St Cuthbert’s Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 that day. He was thrown from the cart beneath the axles of an oncoming truck and sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
His family hopes that that new regulations can prevent other families from experiencing such tragedy.
"I just hope no other child is lost in these circumstances," Sean's mother Stacey said at the inquest into her son's death.
During the inquest, the jury advised that new by-laws be instated, particularly regarding the regulation and safety considerations of the use of sulky carts on public roads.
The sulky was described at the inquest as a man-made cart on a tubular steel axle lacking seatbelts or side-guards.
PSV Inspector Garda David O’Brien discussed the use of sulky carts, saying, "It’s not a vehicle that should be used on a public highway."
The family has welcomed the jury's recommendations for better sulky regulations.
"Sean was an amazing boy. He was the heart of our family, we miss him so much. He was full of life and fun and divilment and everyone loved him," his grandmother Mary Doyle shared.
"We are so glad of these recommendations, there is absolutely no way any child should be out on a sulky."
John Pouch, the truck's driver, said there was nothing he could do to avoid the crash.
"The horse just shot across the road and hit the truck behind the cab," he said at the inquest.
John's truck was travelling well below the road's 50kmph speed limit at the time of the collision. Despite a file being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, no charges were brought.
The jury's verdict was that it was an accidental death.
Our hearts go out to Sean's family and friends. We hope these new regulations keep others safe on the road.
