Man jailed for fatal hit-and-run of Kildare teenager

A MAN has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison for a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a 16-year-old Kedagh Moore.

Marin Silaghi (41), of Ballybrittas, Co Laois, was sentenced on Tuesday, 21 July for offences arising from the collision which led to the death of Kedagh Moore.

The court previously heard that Mr Silaghi was found unanimously guilty by a jury of failing to stop, failing to offer assistance and failing to remain at the scene after striking Mr Moore in the early hours of November 10, 2024.

Mr Moore died as a result of the collision some 250 metres from his home at Graigues, Robertstown, Co Kildare, while he was walking at 12.40am on the R403 Allenwood-Prosperous road.

The court heard that Mr Silaghi told both his employer and gardaí that he believed he had hit a deer or another animal the night of the accident.

Gardaí stopped his damaged vehicle at a checkpoint in Carbury several hours after the incident, where he reported being involved in a collision but could not identify the location.

Witnesses testified that Mr Silaghi had been socialising with work colleagues earlier that evening, with evidence given about his alcohol consumption before he left. It was heard that the man had consumed coffee, food and whiskey.

Kedagh’s mother, Glenda Moore read a very heartfelt victim impact statement before the court in the lead up to Mr Silaghi’s sentencing.

She recalled the “turmoil and horror of the last 20 months” since the incident, and shared memories from her son’s life.

“Kedagh embodied pure love,” she said. “He was a happy and content boy, the first grandson on my side.

“Kedagh was sociable and friendly with a quick wit. He did not always speak but when he did he would captivate the room with his lethal one liners.

“Choices made by Marin Silaghi and subsequent attempts to dehumanise my child with no apology is a violation.” 

She called what her son experienced “extreme cruelty”.

“He left our child face down on the side of the road to die alone,” she said.

Mrs Moore explained that because of the nature of the incident being a hit-and-run, the family was not permitted to touch the deceased that night.

“If the driver stopped I may have gotten to my child sooner. I didn’t get to hold his broken body.” She went on to explain how her life is forever changed since Kedagh’s death, requiring countless visits to the GP due to health concerns and considering early retirement from teaching due to the pain of being around students Kedagh’s age.

“I struggle with the belief that I failed to protect my child. The impact is immeasurable and infinite.” She continued: “Marin Silaghi has shown zero remorse. He has intensified my pain to a point of no measure, and has left me in a world violently altered. Witnessing this behaviour frightens me for young people and for society.” Kedagh’s father, John Moore, was next to give his victim impact statement, which detailed their father-son relationship and their shared love for sports.

“I remember bringing Kedagh to his first soccer session – the coach said he was special,” said Mr Moore.

Mr Moore further detailed that Kedagh’s teammates disbanded for the rest of the season when news broke of his death.

“Kedagh’s absence swallows us whole. I struggle to articulate the depth of my grief.

I must face that my son was knocked down and left to die outside my home,” he said.

Kedagh’s older sister, Sadhbh, also speak about the special bond she had with her brother.

“Growing up we were extremely close. It was always Sadhbh and Kedagh – that should have never changed. 

She continued: “We will never be ok – we have to grieve the life he should have had for the rest of our lives.

“I will never forgive the crime that was committed against my brother, never,” she concluded.

Judge Elva Duffy handed Mr Silaghi a headline sentence of six years and six months.

Mitigation factors such as the man’s no previous convictions were taken into account before he was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison, and disqualified from driving for 15 years.