A south Belfast doctor who received a life sentence for the murder of his mother has been told he will serve at least eight years in prison before he can be considered for release on licence.Declan O'Neill murdered his mother Anne at her parents' house in October 2017.However, last month, a court heard the 29-year-old had been raised"in almost third-world conditions" and in an atmosphere of"intimidation and bullying".
Explaining the difficulty of sentencing in the particular circumstances of the case, the judge said:"All murders are tragic, but there is something particularly troubling about the murder of a mother by a son. It runs against the natural order of things." He said that the natural reaction to such an event is that"something has gone badly wrong", adding that the murder becomes"stranger when one learns that the defendant is in fact a qualified medical doctor, a profession devoted to the care of others and the protection of life".The public gallery was almost empty save for Declan O'Neill's grandfather and father - who are also the victim's father and ex-partner.
The judge said statements provided by the defendant's sister and grandmother were"unique and compelling" in that both were"extremely supportive of the defendant and [made] a compelling and moving plea for clemency on the defendant's behalf".
8 years is not much for a mother murdered. It's like a slap in the face eight years for killing a mother of a child what kind of justice is that in Britain. I sure hope at least she gets put into a real dark cell where people like him belong. It's a sad he gets away with murder.
Eager to know what's third world conditions pls?
As a victim of murder myself I even struggle with this sentence, I really feel for the mental torture this family endured, i think this should be appealed. Whilst I believe murder is wrong i find the sentencing and probation in Northern Ireland to be a tick box exercise.
Dr DeclanKevinOneill should be released from prison as his mother mentally abused him & his sister from Childhood in to Adulthood sallychallen was.
So you kill your Mother and after 8 years you have the chance to visit the pub. No wonder you're a third-rate World power.