GIRL WHO KILLED PALS IN KYLIE ROW CRASH GOES FREE; CARNAGE ON OUR ROADS Judge suspends her three-year jail sentence.

Byline: By MICHELLE O'KEEFFE

A WOMAN who killed her two pals in a smash after changing a Kylie Minogue song on her car stereo walked free from court yesterday.

Frances Flanagan had leaned down to switch the tape after a row broke out over the music but she lost control of her car.

The accident killed mum-of-two Teresa Murray and Seamus Walsh.

Flanagan appeared for sentencing yesterday at Monaghan Circuit Criminal Court where she was given a three-year suspended jail term.

The court had heard at her trial last November that the 30-year-old, from Church Square, Monaghan, veered off the main Castleblaney to Monaghan road, ploughed through a ditch and dropped down into a field on September 18, 2004.

She was convicted of dangerous driving causing the two deaths and of drink-driving. Judge O'Hagan said the victims had three drinks with the accused before the crash and she had been drinking the previous night, meaning she was twice the legal alcohol limit.

The court heard evidence at the trial that Flanagan had a traumatic childhood and had been the victim of repeated abuse.

She had also tried to kill herself on several occasions and suffered an addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Judge O'Hagan said Flanagan never had a chance in life and despite having previous convictions, she had not been in trouble since the accident.

He said she was genuinely remorseful over the deaths and added that he did not believe prison would be an appropriate punishment.

Her three-year imprisonment was suspended on the condition she continues to receive counselling and treatment.

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SUPERSTAR: Kylie Minogue