Limerick men jailed for fatal high-speed chase

Two men from Limerick have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a high-speed chase that led to the deaths of two motorcyclists. The incident occurred on January 4, 2020, along the N24 road. Michael Stanners, 41, received a six-and-a-half-year sentence and a ten-year driving ban. A jury found him guilty of endangerment. Daniel Phillips, 35, was sentenced to five years and nine months after he admitted to dangerous driving that caused the death of Maurice Fehilly. He also faced charges for seriously injuring another motorcyclist, Thomas Traynor, who ultimately died after many surgeries. The chase involved Stanners driving a car at high speed while pursuing Phillips, who was in a van. During the pursuit, an accomplice in Stanners’ car struck Phillips’ van with a baseball bat. The van collided with the motorcyclists, killing Mr. Fehilly immediately. Mr. Traynor was hospitalized but later passed away due to his injuries. The judge criticized the reckless driving behavior that led to the tragic accident. She noted that the motorcyclists were riding safely within the speed limit and maintained their bikes well. Stanners had a history of previous driving offenses and other crimes, while Phillips was driving without insurance at the time. Families of the victims addressed the court, expressing their heartbreak and calling for harsher penalties for dangerous driving. They welcomed the prison sentences as a form of justice for their loved ones.