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Tassagh: Smith brothers guilty of double manslaughter | Tassagh: Smith brothers guilty of double manslaughter |
(35 minutes later) | |
Four brothers have been found guilty of the manslaughter of a couple seven years ago, but cleared of their murder. | |
Niall, Martin, Christopher and Stephen Smith killed Thomas O'Hare and Lisa McClatchey at the couple's home near Tassagh, County Armagh, in 2006. | |
The brothers had admitted breaking into the house, beating Mr O'Hare and pouring petrol around the property, but denied intending to kill either victim. | The brothers had admitted breaking into the house, beating Mr O'Hare and pouring petrol around the property, but denied intending to kill either victim. |
They were also found not guilty of arson, but guilty of attempted arson. | |
Mr O'Hare and Ms McClatchey died of the injuries they suffered in the fire at the house. The four brothers were also badly burned. | |
They claimed their intention had been restricted to burning the house in a bid to force Mr O'Hare from the area. | They claimed their intention had been restricted to burning the house in a bid to force Mr O'Hare from the area. |
During the trial - which lasted more than three weeks - the court heard that Mr O'Hare had sexually abused Stephen Smith, the youngest of the four brothers, many years earlier. | During the trial - which lasted more than three weeks - the court heard that Mr O'Hare had sexually abused Stephen Smith, the youngest of the four brothers, many years earlier. |
At the time, Mr O'Hare was aged 17 and Stephen Smith eight or nine. | |
The jury retired to consider its verdict at noon on Monday and delivered it at about 15:30 GMT on Tuesday. | The jury retired to consider its verdict at noon on Monday and delivered it at about 15:30 GMT on Tuesday. |
Speaking outside the court after the verdicts were read out, the Smith brothers' mother Molly said: "I'm glad it's over. I hope it brings peace to the three families." |