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20 year term for 'macabre' murder 20 year term for 'macabre' murder
(10 minutes later)
A man who murdered a 19-year-old just hours after the teenager celebrated his birthday has been jailed for 20 years.A man who murdered a 19-year-old just hours after the teenager celebrated his birthday has been jailed for 20 years.
Paul James Morrin, 43, stabbed Gerald O'Hagan 15 times in Galliagh Park in Londonderry in February 2006.Paul James Morrin, 43, stabbed Gerald O'Hagan 15 times in Galliagh Park in Londonderry in February 2006.
During sentencing, the judge said Morrin had smoked over Mr O'Hagan's body after the "macabre" murder.During sentencing, the judge said Morrin had smoked over Mr O'Hagan's body after the "macabre" murder.
Mr O'Hagan's parents said their son had been the victim of an evil and unprovoked attack and they would die broken-hearted.Mr O'Hagan's parents said their son had been the victim of an evil and unprovoked attack and they would die broken-hearted.
Morrin used a seven-inch blade to stab his victim 14 times in the back, and also wounded him in the neck.Morrin used a seven-inch blade to stab his victim 14 times in the back, and also wounded him in the neck.
You can't just lose a son that you have loved and who has loved you for over 19 years, and ever expect to forget it or get over it O'Hagan familyYou can't just lose a son that you have loved and who has loved you for over 19 years, and ever expect to forget it or get over it O'Hagan family
During the trial the court heard that Morrin had taken what the judge described as a "trophy photograph" of his victim's body on his mobile phone.During the trial the court heard that Morrin had taken what the judge described as a "trophy photograph" of his victim's body on his mobile phone.
He told Morrin he was a "dangerous, devious and cruel little man, who carried out a macabre murder of a defenceless little boy".He told Morrin he was a "dangerous, devious and cruel little man, who carried out a macabre murder of a defenceless little boy".
Speaking after the trial, the O'Hagan family said justice had been done.Speaking after the trial, the O'Hagan family said justice had been done.
In a letter to the judge, they said their life had been a "living hell" for the past two years.In a letter to the judge, they said their life had been a "living hell" for the past two years.
"The way in which Gerald died and the things that were done after his death, by this person, were truly indescribable. There is no end to this kind of pain," said the family."The way in which Gerald died and the things that were done after his death, by this person, were truly indescribable. There is no end to this kind of pain," said the family.
"You can't just lose a son that you have loved and who has loved you for over 19 years, and ever expect to forget it or get over it.""You can't just lose a son that you have loved and who has loved you for over 19 years, and ever expect to forget it or get over it."
The chief investigating officer, Superintendent Nigel Kyle, said it was one of the worst murders he had dealt with.The chief investigating officer, Superintendent Nigel Kyle, said it was one of the worst murders he had dealt with.
"In 2006 Gerald O'Hagan's parents suffered an unimaginable ordeal, the loss of their son, and they have borne that loss with great dignity."In 2006 Gerald O'Hagan's parents suffered an unimaginable ordeal, the loss of their son, and they have borne that loss with great dignity.
"We hope today that our investigation which has led to the successful conviction will go some way to providing the family with a degree of solace," he said."We hope today that our investigation which has led to the successful conviction will go some way to providing the family with a degree of solace," he said.
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The alcoholic said he had no memory of the attackThe alcoholic said he had no memory of the attack