Belfast delivery driver who killed man after 'grotesque alcohol consumption' is jailed

Belfast delivery driver who killed man after 'grotesque alcohol consumption' is jailed The pensioner was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he passed away almost a week later from "catastrophic injuries'' John Cassidy 15:08, 03 Jul 2026 Updated 15:09, 03 Jul 2026 A "professional'' van driver was handed a six-year sentence today (Friday) for causing the death of a 70-year-old pedestrian in Belfast whilst three times the legal limit. Judge Neil Rafferty KC told John Taggart he will spend three years in jail followed by a similar period on supervised licence for what he described as his "grotesque consumption of alcohol'' which caused the fatal collision. Taggart (36), of Torrens Link in north Belfast, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of causing the death of Paul Marshall by driving dangerously within the vicinity of Divis Street, Castle Street and Millfield junction in Belfast on Monday, September 2, 2024. He also admitted that on the same date he was driving a Ford van with excess alcohol on his breath. Belfast Crown Court heard that at around 5.30 pm on September 2, 2024, he drove his work pharmaceutical van from Great Victoria Street and College Avenue northbound in the direction of Millfield. As he approached the junction in the outside lane, Taggart was behind a Honda Civic car which then moved into the inside lane. A prosecution barrister said that if Taggart had been "driving competently, the obvious response at that point is just to touch the brakes and to hold back so that the car can move in.'' Instead, Taggart "undertook the vehicle to get through, and it's that which led him to mount the traffic island'' where Mr Marshall was standing. The pensioner was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he passed away almost a week later from "catastrophic injuries'' which included a serious fracture to his skull along with spine, rib, wrists, and toe fractures. Family relatives, some of whom appeared in court for the sentencing hearing today (Friday), penned moving and poignant victim impact statements to the court. Gerry Marshall wrote: "Paul was our big brother and the horror of what happened to him led us to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he was on a life support machine for six days. "During those days, the family spoke to Paul, played his favourite music and we were then confronted with the enormity of telling us his life was unsustainable.'' He says he has struggled since and reflects on those moments, "with the loss of Paul, my big brother''. "Paul kept himself very much to himself and had grown out of the despair of being a lifelong paranoid schizophrenic in his younger years and settling into his older years with a quiet solitude and contentment that has now been taken away from him. "We miss and we love him so much.'' Following the sentencing of Taggart today (Friday), Public Prosecution Service (PPS) Assistant Director Eilis McGrath said: “Paul Marshall’s death was a direct result of John Taggart performing a dangerous manoeuvre while under the influence of a significant amount of alcohol. “The collision happened after Taggart attempted to undertake another vehicle, mounting a traffic island on which Mr Marshall was standing. "Mr Marshall sustained very serious injuries and, tragically, died in hospital six days later. “The police investigation established that Taggart had been drinking heavily the night before and into the early hours of the morning prior to starting work as a van driver. "He was also seen in his van on video footage drinking from a bottle containing alcohol before the collision happened just after 5.30pm. “The PPS worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who had carried out a thorough investigation, to build a strong case against the defendant which resulted in the guilty pleas. ‌ “Mr Marshall was simply going about his daily life when he was fatally injured. He was much loved, and his loss is keenly felt by his family. I hope the conclusion of proceedings today brings them some small amount of comfort.” Ms McGrath warned drivers never to take risks with safety. “This case shows the devastating and irreversible consequences of taking risks behind the wheel, particularly when under the influence of alcohol,” she said. ‌ “It should serve as a clear warning: where there is sufficient evidence that a driver has broken the law, the PPS will not hesitate to prosecute all appropriate offences.” As Mr Marshall's family were leaving the court following the hearing, Judge Rafferty removed his wig and addressed them personally. He said: "Can I say that you did Paul proud in the way that you wrote about him. I had a very, very vivid picture of Paul because of the way you wrote about him. Article continues below "All judges find these cases very difficult. We have to try to proportionate sentences against the dreadful loss that you have suffered. I wish today brings some degree of closure.'' 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