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Hollands to meet attorney general Hollands hold sentences meeting
(about 6 hours later)
The family of Harry Holland are to meet with the attorney general later to discuss the sentences handed down to those involved in his killing. The family of Harry Holland have met with the attorney general to discuss the sentences handed down to those involved in his murder.
Mr Holland, 65, was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver near his west Belfast home in September 2007.Mr Holland, 65, was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver near his west Belfast home in September 2007.
The family was accompanied to the meeting with Baroness Scotland by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.
He said the attorney general had agreed to reflect on the points raised by the family and get back to them.
"The Holland family made a compelling case to the British attorney general about the inadequate way the PPS dealt with this case and in particular the way in which the charges against two of those involved were reduced," Mr Adams said.
He said both Baroness Scotland and the PPS "accepted the need for greater transparency within the judicial system and in particular how it engages with victims and their families".
"We intend to follow up on this."
In August, Baroness Scotland agreed to meet the family after she turned down a request to review the sentences given to his killers.In August, Baroness Scotland agreed to meet the family after she turned down a request to review the sentences given to his killers.
The family will be accompanied by West Belfast MP Gerry Adams.
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.
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.
'Horse trading'
Mr Holland's family had asked the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) to approach the attorney general as they were dissatisfied with the sentencing.
However, Baroness Scotland refused to refer the sentences to the Court of Appeal.
Mr Adams said her response was "deeply disappointing for the family of Harry Holland and for the west Belfast community".
"We intend discussing with her all of the implications of this case, including widespread concern at the role of the PPS, its failure to prosecute this case properly, the horse trading that went on between the PPS and the defence representatives, the failure to keep the Holland family involved, and the judgement which interpreted the murder as surprising and spontaneous," he said.