Mum forgives the man responsible for her young daughter's death

In an incredible display of empathy, a mother from Co. Limerick has forgiven the young man responsible for the tragic death of her eight-year-old daughter.

Zoe Scannell and her mother were involved in a road traffic accident in Co. Cork last year, but while Alisha survived the devastating incident her little girl was less fortunate.

In an effort to come to terms with her daughter's death, Alisha has revealed that she has forgiven the 18-year-old man responsible for the incident, saying: "It was a tragic accident. He held up his hands and pleaded guilty and I’ve forgiven him."

Alisha asserted that it was important Ian Lawlor O' Donovan, the individual responsible for the tragic incident, showed remorse for the incident, saying: "For a long time I did want to meet him. It was in my mind and I did want to know that he wasn’t a yobbo and that he did have remorse for what had happened."

Upon realising that the teen was devastated by the events of last year, Alisa knew she must try to move on, saying: "We’ve spoken and we’ve moved on from it and to know that he was remorseful and that it hurt him as much as it hurt me meant a lot to us."

Revealing that she felt a connection with the young man, Alisha felt compelled to pass on one of her daughter's belongings, saying: "We had a bit of a hug and I gave him one of Zoe’s loom bands, and I think there was a little bit of a connection there between the two of us, and that we know what each other is going through."

Ian Lawlor O'Donovan, who was an unaccompanied learner at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and received a two year suspended sentence last month.

Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragic incident.