This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-25185400
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
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. | 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. | 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. |
Mr O'Hare had sexually abused one of the brothers years before. | |
The Smith brothers 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. | 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. | 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." | 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." |
A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "Police acknowledge the verdicts reached by the jury in this case. | |
"We acknowledge them first and foremost for Lisa McClatchey and Thomas O'Hare and for their two families who were robbed of their loved ones in truly horrendous circumstances. | |
"But we also acknowledge them on behalf of the detectives from the Serious Crime Branch who began this investigation more than seven years ago and along with the Public Prosecution Service persevered to bring the four Smith brothers from the Republic (of Ireland), England and Australia to face a court in Northern Ireland and answer for their crimes. | |
"No-one has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of any perceived threat, provocation or injustice." |