Sisters Launch Campaign to Support Children Affected by Fatal Dangerous Driving

Two sisters who lost their father in a tragic hit-and-run incident during childhood have launched a campaign calling for legal reform to protect children facing similar loss.

Shauneen and Sarah Butler were just eight and five years old when their father, Con Butler, was killed in a hit-and-run collision in West Belfast on September 23, 2001. His sudden death left a lasting emotional and financial impact on their family, forcing the young sisters to grow up without the central figure in their lives.

Speaking about the experience, Shauneen shared that it took many years to fully process the loss and come to terms with the grief. Now, she is determined to turn that painful experience into meaningful change for others.

The sisters are advocating for “Butler’s Law,” a proposed initiative that would require individuals convicted of causing death by dangerous driving to provide financial support to the victim’s children until they reach adulthood. The campaign aims to ease the long-term burden placed on families who lose a parent in such circumstances.

Shauneen emphasized that many families currently receive little to no structured support following these tragedies, while offenders may serve relatively short prison sentences before resuming their lives. She believes this imbalance highlights a significant gap in the system.

According to the campaign, introducing such legislation would not only provide essential financial assistance to affected children but could also act as a deterrent, encouraging safer driving behavior.

The Butler sisters hope their efforts will bring attention to the issue and inspire lawmakers to consider stronger protections for vulnerable families dealing with the consequences of dangerous driving.