Fermanagh: Drunk driver who killed Barry McManus jailed

Barry McManus, a father-of-two, died at the scene of the crash in Brookeborough

A drunk driver who killed a man in a high-speed crash has been handed a nine-and-a-half year sentence.

Vladimar Kovac, 42, from Carrowshee Park, Lisnaskea, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

The judge told Kovac that his "selfish decision" to drive after drinking at least five shots of vodka had "ripped the heart out of a young family".

Barry McManus, who had just became a father for the second time, died at the scene of the crash on 11 June 2022.

The crash happened on the Belfast Road in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh.

Dungannon Crown Court previously heard it was Mr McManus's wife's birthday on the day he was killed.

'Unfathomable' loss

The prosecution said that when police told the victim's wife her husband had been killed, she was holding their three-week-old baby.

An officer then had to take the baby from her as she was so distressed.

On Monday, the judge said the loss to this young family was "unfathomable" and "heart-wrenching".

He said he had read a victim impact statement from Rachael McManus and her seven-year-old daughter.

He added that he had also been given a photoshopped picture of the family-of-four as Mr McManus' death was so sudden, no photo had been taken of them all together after the birth of their son.

The court heard that Kovac had been having a "heated argument" with his wife and had been drinking.

He was continuing to talk to her on his mobile phone which was connected to the car's audio system while he was driving.

His car crossed to the opposite side of the carriageway and crashed into Mr McManus' vehicle which was parked on the hard shoulder.

The sentencing took place at Dungannon Crown Court on Monday

Kovac had fully depressed the accelerator pedal for five seconds before the crash - increasing the speed of his car from 88mph to 95mph.

The experts found there was no evidence he had braked.

When interviewed by the police and asked how he felt he replied: "I feel very bad. My life turned 180 degrees."

Sentencing Kovac, the judge said: "You may from time to time think of the misery you have caused, but it will not consume you as it will the many victims in this case."

Kovac will serve half of his sentence in prison and half on licence.

After he was led from the dock the judge addressed the McManus family who were sitting in the public gallery.

"These are very difficult cases even for the judiciary to deal with, my heart goes out to you," he told them.

Kovac was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.