A judge has said a bereaved mother's victim impact statement should be compulsory reading for anyone considering drink driving.
Gillian Treacy told Portlaoise Circuit Court that losing her four-year-old son Ciaran last year shattered her whole life.
On April 17th last, she was driving her two boys home from their grandparents when they were involved in a head on collision with a drunk driver in Ballymorris in Co Laois.
Finbarr O'Rourke, with an address at Laurel Drive in Portlaoise has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
The court earlier heard he drank eight to ten pints on the day in question.
Journalist Eoghan MacConnell was in Portlaoise Circuit Court earlier for the victim impact statement read on behalf of Gillian and Ronan Treacy;
The Treacys say they have been trying to keep a brave face for their two surviving children while smothering with grief and devastation.
Judge Keenan Johnson said the statement should be compulsory reading for anyone considering drink driving, and remanded Mr O'Rourke in custody for sentencing on Tuesday.
