Woman given suspended sentence over death of ex-rugby player

David Tweed was convicted of child sex abuse charges which were later quashed

A woman has been sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for one year, for causing the death of disgraced ex-Ireland international rugby player and former councillor David Tweed.

The former politician, 61, who had been previously convicted of sex abuse charges which were later quashed, died when his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a car in Ballycastle, County Antrim on 28 October 2021.

Anne Broughton, 71, from Whitepark Road in Ballycastle had pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

At Antrim Crown Court, the prosecution said Ms Broughton failed to take proper steps to make sure the road was clear before making a overtaking manoeuvre.

The defence said it was a "momentary lapse on her part", a "terribly tragic accident" in which she too "significantly suffered".

The collision happened on the road between Bushmills and Ballycastle when a row of three cars were travelling on the road.

Ms Broughton was the second vehicle and Mr Tweed was the third.

Both appeared to try to overtake.

The court heard in witness statements Ms Broughton had said she "did not see" Mr Tweed on her right.

Anne Broughton leaving Antrim Crown Court following a previous court appearance

Impact statement

Three of David Tweed's siblings were present in court for the sentencing.

The court heard that an impact statement submitted on behalf of members of David Tweed's family said his death had been a "devastating loss".

Judge Philip Gilpin said the victim impact statement said he "took his responsibility as a big brother very seriously, always keeping us safe".

The judge added they felt "robbed by his passing" and missed his "big personality" and there would "forever be an empty chair".

Judge Gilpin said the suspended sentence was based on the circumstances of the accident without aggravating features and the length of time driving with no criminal record.

Who was David Tweed?

David Tweed was convicted of child sex abuse charges, which were later quashed after he had served four years of an eight-year sentence.

He was capped four times while playing for the Ireland rugby team.

The unionist politician was first elected to Ballymena council as a representative of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

However, he left the DUP in 2007 over the party's decision to share power with Sinn Féin and later, joined Jim Allister's Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party.

In 2012, he was convicted of child sex abuse charges and given an eight-year sentence. Following his conviction, he was expelled from the Orange Order and was suspended and then replaced by the TUV.

But after serving four years in prison, he appealed and his convictions were quashed in 2016 because of the way the jury was directed in his initial trial.

Some members of Mr Tweed's family have since spoken out about the abuse, with his stepdaughter criticising politicians who issued messages of condolence after his death.