A mother whose only child died in a crash at the age of just 19 has urged motorists not to drink-drive, speed or use mobile phones when they are behind the wheel.
Colette Griffin and her husband Tommy suffered the loss of their daughter Sarah Richardson after a two-car collision on the Fota Road in Co Cork on 27 April, 2012.
Sarah had just been taken on as an apprentice hairdresser and was on the way to Midleton from her home in Cobh to tell her friend all her news when the crash occurred.
Colette Griffin fondly recalls the short but precious life of her bubbly, vivacious and kind daughter.
On one occasion she gave Sarah €50 for petrol. However, just €10 worth of fuel went into the car. She says the other €40 was spent on mascara in Brown Thomas.
Sarah’s car then “wouldn’t start”. Colette says when her husband went to look at the car he informed his daughter that she did not require jump leads but it “might be a start to put petrol in it”.
Ms Griffin, who has channelled her grief in to road safety awareness and volunteer work, says that Sarah is “dancing with the angels way before her time”.
She recalls Sarah’s first Christmas in 1992 when their hearts were “bursting with happiness and love for our little miracle”.
She is calling on drivers not to drink-drive amid all the Christmas and New Year festivities.
“Our hearts are now burst into millions of pieces and we will never again feel true happiness. How we are feeling at this very minute we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemy and this is because someone decided it was okay to drink and drive.
“Please this Christmas do not drink and drive. Our happy Christmas (periods) ended in 2012 but we need to continue showing these pictures (of Sarah) in the hope someone will put away the car keys after seeing our precious princess, Sarah, who had her whole life ahead of her taken way too soon and our future taken from us.
“Life is precious, respect and be grateful for your own life and give the same respect to all road users by stopping right now your habit of drink-driving.”
Ms Griffin says that her daughter should be here today living the “wonderful life” they expected her to have.
“People must start realising drink-driving, speeding or using a phone while driving is so, so wrong because of the pain and devastation they can cause if involved in a crash.
“This could be your story today – your loved one could be killed on the road by someone who thinks it’s OK to drink-drive, break the speed limit or use their phone while driving.
“So please let your feelings be known that you will not tolerate bad road behaviour anymore. We are all entitled to safe use of our roads.”
Ms Griffin says that her life changed from the moment her beautiful daughter died.
“Your life is gone. Your future is gone. It is too late for me now. I can’t change the outcome. But other people’s lives can be saved.”
