By Lesley Walsh
THE GRIEVING mother of the Portaferry boy killed by a drunk driver in a shocking hit and run incident has issued an emotional appeal for information.
Nichola Kelly’s 12 year-old son, Lucas Trainor died on July 8 after being struck by a car while he was travelling along The Strand in the town on his e-scooter.
The man responsible for Lucas’ death, Peter Milligan, has admitted driving the car that struck the boy after drinking in two pubs earlier that evening.
He appeared in court a few days later, charged with causing the child’s death by dangerous driving, driving unfit through drink and a host of nine other motoring offences, while driving a red Skoda Fabia. Milligan hadn’t had a licence for 18 years and had 60 previous convictions.
This week, Ms Kelly posted her appeal on social media in a bid to enlist the public’s help to ensure ‘justice for Lucas’.
She said: “I am making a heartfelt appeal to the public: if you were in Portaferry, or anywhere along the surrounding roads, and witnessed the collision that killed Lucas, or if you have dash-cam footage, door bell, CCTV, phone recordings, or any information at all — no matter how small it may seem — please come forward if you have not already done so.
“Your information may be vital in helping us understand exactly what happened between the time of the RTC that killed Lucas and when the man who caused it was arrested.
“This appeal is not only for justice, but to ensure that no other family endures this devastating pain.”
She asked anyone with the information she is seeking to take it directly to the police or to herself, personally.
“Please contact the PSNI directly with any information or myself.”
Ms Kelly ended her appeal by stressing her appreciation for those who have supported the family since that fateful day last July when she was cruelly robbed of her son.
“Thank you to everyone who has already reached out, and to the Portaferry community for your support during the worst time of our lives. In loving memory of Lucas Trainor. Forever missed. Forever loved.”
In the investigation which followed, police uncovered CCTV which showed that Mulligan had been drinking in a bar in Portaferry, which he left at 10.40pm.
Other CCTV footage shows the car he owned travelling at speed through the town, almost colliding with a pedestrian. CCTV on The Strand then showed the tragic incident involving young Lucas.
Witnesses at the scene identified Milligan as the driver of the Skoda.
In police interviews following Milligan’s arrest, the court heard in July that he had made full admissions to causing the child’s death by driving unfit through alcohol.
It was also revealed that not only had he been drinking in Portaferry on the night of the tragedy, he had also been drinking at a pub in Strangford.
He had then got a lift home with a friend, later deciding, in his own words to ‘go for a spin’, despite being under the influence of alcohol. He remains in custody.
