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Garda killer seeks immediate release from prison

2015-07-27 · Castleblayney, Monaghan · High Court

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Michael McHugh has initiated High Court proceedings seeking his immediate release from prison. McHugh was convicted in December 1985 of murdering Garda Sergeant Patrick Morrissey during an armed robbery at Ardee Labour Exchange in June of that year. He received a death sentence, later commuted to 40 years penal servitude. McHugh claims he is entitled to credit for five months spent in pre-trial custody between July and December 1985, which would entitle him to release having completed his sentence. The State parties oppose the application, arguing McHugh has no automatic entitlement to such credit and that the courts lack power to grant it given the original death sentence. McHugh's counsel contends his client should receive immediate release if successful, or December 2015 if unsuccessful. The case also addresses McHugh's claim that rejection of his pre-release programme application lacked adequate reasoning. The hearing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott is ongoing.

Source: Courts News Ireland This page is a localnews.ie summary and index entry; the full original report may require a publisher subscription.

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