A driver who knocked down and killed a nine-year-old boy in Co Donegal went on a drugs and alcohol binge after the incident, a court has heard.
Sergee Kelly, 24, of Upper Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, struck Ronan Wilson at Atlantic Way, Bundoran, Co Dongeal, at around 9.20pm on 23 September 2023.
Kelly appeared before Donegal Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing death.
He was charged with four offences under the Road Traffic Act and tendered signed pleas to all.
Kelly forwarded signed pleas to charges of failing to stop at the scene and failing to remain at the scene of the incident.
Garda forensic collision investigators estimated that the accused was driving his silver Skoda Octavia at speeds of between 105km/h and 111km/h in a 50km/h zone at Atlantic Way on the date in question.
Kelly fled the scene in his car but the incident was captured on CCTV.
He was arrested the day after the incident and brought to Ballyshannon Garda Station for questioning.
A blood sample was taken 17 hours after the collision which showed a positive reading for cocaine.
Detective Garda Shane Maye told the court that CCTV footage showed that after the incident, Kelly walked back into Bundoran to meet friends, visited a number of pubs, went to an amusement arcade and then later took a taxi home.
He also admitted taking cocaine and also smoking cannabis when he got home.
A post-mortem examination carried out by State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster showed Ronan had died as a result of massive brain trauma.
Victim impact statements were read out in court on behalf of a number of family members, including Ronan's parents.
His mother Emma told how her family's life was idyllic until that moment and that everything changed irrevocably.
She told of rushing to her son and just lying down beside him and holding his hand on the road after he had been struck.
The accused man took to the witness stand where he apologised to Ronan's family.
Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case until Friday for final sentencing.
