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Phelim McNally jailed for 20 years for teen's murder | Phelim McNally jailed for 20 years for teen's murder |
(35 minutes later) | |
A County Londonderry man has been jailed for at least 20 years for murdering his ex-partner's sister in an "act of extraordinary wickedness". | A County Londonderry man has been jailed for at least 20 years for murdering his ex-partner's sister in an "act of extraordinary wickedness". |
Phelim McNally, from Station Park in Toomebridge, shot dead 18-year-old Lauren O'Neill in Bellaghy in May 2012. | Phelim McNally, from Station Park in Toomebridge, shot dead 18-year-old Lauren O'Neill in Bellaghy in May 2012. |
Her sister, Brenda, 22, McNally's former partner and the mother of his two children, was seriously injured. | Her sister, Brenda, 22, McNally's former partner and the mother of his two children, was seriously injured. |
McNally admitted murder and attempted murder as his trial was about to begin last month. | McNally admitted murder and attempted murder as his trial was about to begin last month. |
He had already been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. | He had already been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. |
He must serve a minimum of 20 years before he can be considered eligible for parole, a judge has ruled. | He must serve a minimum of 20 years before he can be considered eligible for parole, a judge has ruled. |
Mr Justice Treacy also imposed a prison sentence of 20 years for attempted murder. | Mr Justice Treacy also imposed a prison sentence of 20 years for attempted murder. |
The judge told the court: "It was an act of extraordinary wickedness in which he fired aimed shots from a shotgun intending to murder." | The judge told the court: "It was an act of extraordinary wickedness in which he fired aimed shots from a shotgun intending to murder." |
Mr Treacy described the murder victim as "young and completely defenceless with no means of escape". | Mr Treacy described the murder victim as "young and completely defenceless with no means of escape". |
"She was seated and using her phone at the time she was shot," he added. | "She was seated and using her phone at the time she was shot," he added. |
"He intended to kill both Lauren and Brenda. The murder and the attempted murder both took place in full view of his two very young children. | "He intended to kill both Lauren and Brenda. The murder and the attempted murder both took place in full view of his two very young children. |
Jealousy | |
"The cruelty and mercilessness of these actions have left a family physically and mentally broken." | "The cruelty and mercilessness of these actions have left a family physically and mentally broken." |
The court heard that McNally had been in a relationship with Brenda O'Neill until about one week before the shooting. | |
The day of the attack, the court heard, he pointed his gun deliberately at Lauren, said nothing, but fired two shots directly at her. | |
She did not see this as she had been looking at her phone. | |
Lauren fell to the ground but got up and made it to the back door. | |
Without saying anything, the defendant turned to Brenda and shot her. She was injured in a arm and stomach. | |
Brenda described how their daughter called out "bad daddy" while he turned and walked out the front door. | |
During a later police interview, McNally described how he had got up early on the day in question to go crow shooting. | |
He accepted that he called with Brenda, found messages on her phone and went into what he called a "huff". | |
He said he loaded his gun with three new cartridges intending, he claimed, to go and do some shooting at the rear of Brenda's house. | |
However, the court heard that it was clear he decided to re-enter the house and to fire aimed shots at his two victims in front of his own children. | |
A pre-sentence report on McNally indicated that he had "difficulties with jealousy and control". |
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