A 36-year-old motorist has been jailed for eight years for mowing down a young Frenchman in a hit-and-run in Cork city centre.  

Martin Linehan from Lagan Grove in Mayfield was extradited back to Ireland to face the charge - four years after fleeing abroad.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of 25-year-old Gabriel Lege on George Quay on October 31st 2013. 

He also pleaded guilty to seven related motoring charges - including failing to stop and driving without insurance. 

The court heard Linehan had consumed 15 or 16 pints, cannabis and cocaine on the day of the crash and went on to have two more pints after the collision.