2017-10-27 · Limerick
Slain biker a "hero who will never be forgotten" court hears as his murderer is jailed for life
Alan McNamara, 51, of Mountfune, Murroe, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Andrew O'Donoghue. Found guilty last July, McNamara was convicted of killing the Road Tramps member at the club gates on June 20, 2015, during a territorial dispute. Justice Paul McDermott imposed the mandatory life sentence, backdating it to December 1, 2015. McNamara's stepson, Robert Cusack, 28, of Abington, Murroe, pleaded guilty to impeding his stepfather's apprehension. Cusack was sentenced to six years in prison, with 18 months suspended for two years on condition he commits no further crime. The judge noted Cusack's late guilty plea and cooperation with gardai reduced the sentence from seven years. The sentence was backdated to August 14 to account for time in custody. The court heard from the victim's family, who described O'Donoghue as a hero who will never be forgotten. McNamara expressed remorse in a letter to the court. The judge considered McNamara's 11 previous convictions, including assault and drug offenses, and Cusack's three prior road traffic convictions.