2020-10-02
Knife murder a 'madness fuelled by drink and drugs'
Stage: Sentence
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Ms Justice Tara Burns today sentenced Mark Crawford (43) for the murder of Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24), saying that she has "no hesitation" in passing the mandatory life sentence for what she described as an act of "madness fuelled by drink and drugs". To watch him on CCTV footage in the moments before he was murdered, acting his usual fun-loving self, has left us heartbroken." Ms O'Connor said that while they will not get Patrick back the sentence gives some comfort.