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No review for Holland sentences Legal boss to meet Holland family
(about 16 hours later)
The attorney general has turned down a request to review the sentences given to the killers of west Belfast man Harry Holland. The attorney general will meet the family of Harry Holland after she turned down a request to review the sentences given to his killers.
Mr Holland was killed close to his home nearly two years ago. The west Belfast man was killed close to his home nearly two years ago.
In July, 18-year-old Stephen McKee from Ballymurphy Road was told he must serve at least 12 years of a life sentence.In July, 18-year-old Stephen McKee from Ballymurphy Road was told he must serve at least 12 years of a life sentence.
The DPP had asked the attorney general to consider whether sentences handed down to those involved in the murder were unduly lenient.The DPP had asked the attorney general to consider whether sentences handed down to those involved in the murder were unduly lenient.
Two other teenagers were also sentenced in connection with the killing.Two other teenagers were also sentenced in connection with the killing.
Patrick Crossan, from Willowbank Gardens in west Belfast, was sentenced to four years for attempted affray and having an offensive weapon.Patrick Crossan, from Willowbank Gardens in west Belfast, was sentenced to four years for attempted affray and having an offensive weapon.
A 17-year-old girl was placed on a probation order for two years after she admitted charges of affray and common assault.A 17-year-old girl was placed on a probation order for two years after she admitted charges of affray and common assault.
'Inadequate''Inadequate'
Mr Holland's family had asked the Public Prosecution Service to approach the attorney general as they were unsatisfied with the sentencing. Mr Holland's family expressed their disappointment over the decision
Mr Holland's family had asked the Public Prosecution Service to approach the attorney general as they were dissatisfied with the sentencing.
West Belfast MP Gerry Adams described the attorney general's response as "inadequate and deeply disappointing for the family of Harry Holland and for the west Belfast community".West Belfast MP Gerry Adams described the attorney general's response as "inadequate and deeply disappointing for the family of Harry Holland and for the west Belfast community".
Mr Adams said Baroness Scotland had "failed to tackle the obvious and glaring shortcomings within the Public Prosecution Service".Mr Adams said Baroness Scotland had "failed to tackle the obvious and glaring shortcomings within the Public Prosecution Service".
"The family and the community are justifiably angry at the sordid secret deal that was done between the Public Prosecution Service and those who carried out the murder which led to reduced charges and minimum sentences against two of the accused," he said."The family and the community are justifiably angry at the sordid secret deal that was done between the Public Prosecution Service and those who carried out the murder which led to reduced charges and minimum sentences against two of the accused," he said.
In a statement, the attorney general's office said she was deeply sorry to have to pass on a decision that would disappoint the Holland family.In a statement, the attorney general's office said she was deeply sorry to have to pass on a decision that would disappoint the Holland family.
"She has written personally to Mrs Holland explaining the basis for her decisions," the statement said."She has written personally to Mrs Holland explaining the basis for her decisions," the statement said.
"In determining the range of sentence that may be appropriate, the court is given guidance by the Court of Appeal."In determining the range of sentence that may be appropriate, the court is given guidance by the Court of Appeal.
"The trial judge in this case, with the assistance of counsel before him, considered and applied the appropriate guidance."The trial judge in this case, with the assistance of counsel before him, considered and applied the appropriate guidance.
"The attorney cannot say that the tariff imposed on Stephen McKee fell outside the range and cannot, therefore, refer the matter to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration.""The attorney cannot say that the tariff imposed on Stephen McKee fell outside the range and cannot, therefore, refer the matter to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration."