The parents of a boy who was knocked down and killed at a pedestrian crossing which had a green light in his favour have said that they find it hard to see people driving “without due care.”
André Castro Ladeiro (8) was struck by a Ford pick-up truck on August 12th, 2023 at Cork Road in Carrigaline, Co Cork.
The young boy had been out on a family cycle with his parents and young brother when he was hit by a vehicle at a pedestrian crossing located just 20 metres from a roundabout.
John Moynihan (62), of Parkanillane, Kilnamartyra, Macroom, Co Cork, was jailed for two years on Monday for dangerous driving causing the death of the Portuguese boy, who had moved to Ireland with his family at the age of four. Moynihan also received a six-year disqualification from driving.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that the father of four, who is without previous convictions, had neither alcohol nor drugs in his system. He was estimated to have been travelling at between 35km/h and 37km/h in a 50km/h zone.
Moynihan expressed his heartfelt remorse for what had occurred.
Judge Dermot Sheehan said a custodial sentence was warranted in order to serve as a deterrent to other motorists.
In a statement issued via O’Flynn Solicitors , Andre’s parents, César Ladeiro and Filipa Castro, spoke of the devastation caused at the loss of their son. They also voiced the trauma they experienced at witnessing the incident.
“Every day has been a challenge between anger, sadness, depression, despair, fear, dark days, disbelieve. All those words became part of our life since that driver killed our son. Also, panic attacks, nightmares, sleep deprivation, anxiety, fear, stress. You have no idea what is to see people around driving without due care.
“The sound of the impact of the car hitting our son and the image of our son lying down on the road are constantly present.”
The parents said their son did everything right at the pedestrian crossing, only to lose his life when the driver failed to stop at a red light.
“Facts are that André was crossing a road on a pedestrian crossing that connects a walking and cycle path to schools in the middle of Carrigaline and that crossing has traffic lights. André waited for the green man. Before crossing André and myself checked no cars were coming.”
The couple are determined to use every bit of their “strength and resilience” to make things better for their son Tomás, who is due to turn seven this year. They want to have “hope for the future” and to “laugh and make dreams come true.”
They thanked the judge for giving them the opportunity to make victim impact statements and for explaining his reasoning for his sentencing decision. However, they feel that the sentence was unduly lenient.
“Does this outcome take in account all the suffering it caused? Is this what people want for justice on the 21st century in the Republic of Ireland? Is this outcome anyway proportional to the life of a child that had so much to live, so much to share?
The couple said André was born in December 2014 and filled their lives “with all the most wonderful feelings.”
“A dream came true and it was an incredible journey with happiness, smiles, energy, gratitude, bravery, resilience, pride and so much more. In 2019, we chose Ireland to live in and give more time together to us as a family. A huge step for us.
“André's ability to settle here, without knowing nearly any English was unremarkable. But this was as he was: full of good feelings! He made so many friends, his age and grownups, he loved the schools he went to. He was always ready to take part in community activities, fundraisings and always helping who needed help, a hand, a laugh.
“His smile was contagious, as contagious was his character. He was also involved in different sports, such as gymnastics, swimming, GAA and taekwondo. He spread joy and kindness! He was so happy; we were so happy.”
They add that their lives were perfect until their son was run over during a family bike ride, only to subsquently die of his injuries in hospital.
“During a family bike ride, that driver came flying out of nowhere, ignoring his surroundings, disrespecting the red light in a pedestrian crossing and running over our son!
“As a nurse who worked in a paediatric ICU for twelve years, André's mom realised from the first minute how catastrophic the situation was, while André's dad just had hope... Tomás, André's brother, was there, alone, inside the trailer, staring at André without saying a word.
“André spent five days fighting to live, five devastating days that ended with his parents on his side for his last breath!
“It is still impossible for us to believe or accept this. Every day, we wait to see him walk through the door, to give us again the most earthily hug only he could give, his sounding kisses, to see his captivating smile. But no, the only thing we find is pictures and videos, memories..”
