DRIVER: I'M GUILTY OVER DEATH CRASH; Families relief at plea change.

Byline: BY LINDA McGRORY

A PSYCHIATRIC nurse who killed five pals in a horrific smash admitted death by dangerous driving yesterday.

Brendan Henderson changed his plea at Letterkenny Circuit Court more than three years after the crash in Co Donegal.

Henderson, of Seven Oaks, Waterside, Derry, admitted causing the deaths of Gavin Duffy, 21, Darren Quinn, 21, David Steele, 23, Rochelle Peoples, 22 and 21-year-old Charlene O'Connor.

The 50-year-old psychiatric nurse crashed into the car the five were travelling in at Cross, Quigley's Point, in the early hours of October 8, 2005.

All five victims were from the Inishowen peninsula where the crash happened.

Henderson, who has used a wheelchair since the accident, was first charged with the offence in April last year, when he entered a not guilty plea.

The surprise turnaround came yesterday when he admitted the charge.

Judge John O'Hagan told the victims' families he hoped the change of plea would now help them get on with their lives.

He said: "No doubt there will be a certain amount of closure in that someone has admitted responsibility for what happened."

Annette Duffy, mother of victim Gavin, spoke on behalf of the families and described their sense of "surprise and relief" at the defendant's guilty plea.

She said it was a good day for their children's memory but she also acknowledged the defendant's decision to admit the charge.

Ms Duffy added: "It will be a difficult time for him and his family but fair dues to him for accepting responsibility. Hopefully it will help him in the long run."

She also expressed the families' hopes inquests would follow in due course.

Henderson was remanded on continuing bail to facilitate the preparation of medical and probation reports. He will be sentenced in April.

CAPTION(S):

ROCHELLE, 22; DARREN, 21; CHARLENE, 21; HENDERSON; DAVID, 23; GAVIN, 21