Senator Doherty calls for driver involved in hit and run to be banned from Ireland for life

Zigimantas Gridziuska, who was involved in a hit and run incident which the claimed the life of a young man, should be banned from entering the State for the entirety of his lifetime, according to Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty.

Senator Doherty said: “Zigimantas Gridziusaka was the driver in the hit and run incident that ended 23-year-old Shane O’Farrell’s life in Monaghan in August 2011.

“In 2013, Mr Gridziuska pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of failing to stop his car at the scene of the crash; failing to keep the car near the scene and failing to report the incident as soon as possible to gardaí. He received a suspended sentence of eight months on condition he leave Ireland and return to his native Lithuania.

“Mr Gridziusaka was banned from the State for 10 years in 2013. This ban has now expired, and it is not acceptable that he could return to the State at any time. Mr Gridziuska was a serial criminal who in the 19 months before Shane’s death came before the courts on at least 16 occasions. A man with a criminal record like that should not be allowed back to Ireland.

“Shane’s family should never fear having to encounter this man as they walk down the street. He showed no remorse for his actions.

“He has caused enormous pain to Shane’s family. They should at least be given the small comfort of knowing that he can never return to Ireland. That’s why I have written to the Minister for Justice requesting that he is refused entry for the remainder of his life.

“It is within the Government’s power, under the Immigration Act 2004, to permanently ban Mr Gridziuska from the State. There are clearly sufficient grounds for doing so, and there is no doubt in my mind that he would continue to pose a potential risk to public security should he return.”