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Cpl Geoffrey McNeill murder: Comrade convicted over barracks killing Cpl Geoffrey McNeill murder: Soldier sentenced to life
(35 minutes later)
A soldier has been found guilty of murdering his comrade in an attack at their barracks. A soldier has been jailed for life after being convicted of murdering his comrade in an attack at their barracks.
L/Cpl Richard Farrell, 23, set upon Cpl Geoffrey McNeill, 32, of County Antrim, in his room at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, Shropshire, in March.L/Cpl Richard Farrell, 23, set upon Cpl Geoffrey McNeill, 32, of County Antrim, in his room at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, Shropshire, in March.
He inflicted "a series of heavy blows", according to prosecuting QC Christopher Hotten, breaking Cpl McNeill's neck in three places.He inflicted "a series of heavy blows", according to prosecuting QC Christopher Hotten, breaking Cpl McNeill's neck in three places.
He was convicted at Birmingham Crown Court and will be sentenced later. Farrell was ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years at Birmingham Crown Court.
In a majority decision, the jury returned its verdict against Farrell, from Dublin, a member of the Royal Irish Regiment, after 19 hours of deliberation.In a majority decision, the jury returned its verdict against Farrell, from Dublin, a member of the Royal Irish Regiment, after 19 hours of deliberation.
He claimed he had drunk at least a litre of Disaronno liqueur and remembered nothing of the night's events after being punched by Cpl McNeill, of Ballymoney, in a pub in nearby Market Drayton.He claimed he had drunk at least a litre of Disaronno liqueur and remembered nothing of the night's events after being punched by Cpl McNeill, of Ballymoney, in a pub in nearby Market Drayton.
Farrell told the jury his last memory was of seeing another soldier and Cpl McNeill standing in front of him "and next it just goes black".Farrell told the jury his last memory was of seeing another soldier and Cpl McNeill standing in front of him "and next it just goes black".
He said he tried to revive Cpl McNeill after discovering his body underneath a bed.He said he tried to revive Cpl McNeill after discovering his body underneath a bed.
Farrell initially thought his comrade was asleep in his room, the court heard.Farrell initially thought his comrade was asleep in his room, the court heard.
Cpl McNeill, 32, was found with various injuries, including to his testicles.Cpl McNeill, 32, was found with various injuries, including to his testicles.
L/Cpl Farrell has said he grabbed them to check if his comrade was conscious.L/Cpl Farrell has said he grabbed them to check if his comrade was conscious.