Tom Corkery was from Coachford in County Cork – an accountant who had done well in England after a lifetime of hard work, he was looking forward to retirement. Sue, his wife, had been a paediatric nurse.
Both in their sixties, they were planning a retirement of travel and adventure when in January 2024 while out walking a friend’s dog on a country lane, they were hit by a BMW SUV travelling at 87mph, or 140km.
“My mum was 68. My dad was 61. I think they were described as elderly in some of the press coverage - far from it. You know, my mum would be furious at being described as elderly. She was that kind of person, she was so full of life,” says Claire.
Witnesses had seen Scott Gunn travelling at high speed on the narrow country road in icy conditions on the coldest week of the year.
Despite all the evidence he pleaded not guilty and so Claire and her brother were forced to sit through his trial.
Claire Corkery joins Deirdre on the podcast today to tell her parents’ story – and highlight the dangers of speeding. Her story is one of shock, grief, injustice and finding a new purpose.
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