Woman sentenced for causing death of pregnant mother by dangerous driving

A 37-year-old woman has been sentenced to six years and three months for killing a pregnant mother.

Valeria Amorim, who was six months pregnant, died after she was struck on Boa Island Road, Belleek, in County Fermanagh on 19 February 2024.

Emma Josephine Feely, of Blackrock Park in Belleek, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Valeria by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.

Feely, who will serve half of her sentence in custody and half on licence, also admitted driving without a licence or insurance.

In the dock at Dungannon Crown Court on Monday, Feely was emotional throughout the hearing.

The court was told of her "bitter regret" of the actions that lead to the collision.

"Not a day goes past that she is not thinking of her role in this, of her reckless actions and her decision to get behind the wheel."

The court heard how Feely was having "a day on the drink" and had consumed four and a half pints before driving the white Kia Rio through Belleek.

Valeria, 29, was walking with her daughter Valentina, 9, and her mother Wanda when she were hit from behind by the car.

Valeria was pregnant with baby Chloe, who also died from the collision.

Speaking after the sentencing, Valeria's brother Leandro Amorim said it was "not enough".

"It is not fair. My sister lost her whole life, and all my family are devastated. My mom is devastated, myself, it's very hard to live with that now," he said.

Leandro described Valeria as a "wonderful, very kind person, happy with good health, and she was very happy with her second baby on the way".

"She was doing everything to keep everyone happy, especially her daughter, and she was beside my mum all the time, and that gap is never going to be filled with no one, so that will be there forever."

Feely had initially denied the charges, but in January 2025 she voluntarily revoked her bail and in November 2025 changed her plea to guilty.

As well as her brother, Valeria's husband was also in court.

In sentencing Feely, Judge Richard Greene said the victim impact statements provided by Valeria's husband and mother were "very moving" and showed their devastation.

He said Marcello Fernandes spoke "eloquently and lovingly about his wife and their plans for the future".

Wanda Amorim described her as a "loving and caring daughter" with whom she shared a close bond.

Judge Greene referred to the regret demonstrated by Feely who has been diagnosed with with PTSD as a result of the collision.

He acknowledged her guilty plea and genuine remorse, demonstrated by the revoking of her own bail.

"I can see that the pain she has caused this family, the suffering she has caused, is something that she deeply and bitterly regrets."

He passed a sentence of nine and a half years for death by dangerous driving - which was reduced to six years and three months because of her guilty plea.

He said Feely would serve half of it in custody and half on licence.

She was also sentenced to 12 months for not having a full driving licence, 12 months for not having valid insurance and four months for the charge of being over the drink drive limit.

Judge Greene said all sentences would run concurrently.

She was also disqualified from driving for a period of six years.