Courts / Mayo / Report
Father is jailed for life after jury finds him guilty of murdering infant son
Summary
A man from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, has been sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for the murder of his infant son. John Tighe, aged 40, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court of murdering six-and-a-half-month-old Joshua Sussbier Tighe on 1 June 2013 at his home in Lavallyroe. The jury deliberated for seven hours and 32 minutes before returning their verdict. Tighe had pleaded not guilty and maintained the death was accidental. Prosecution evidence, including expert testimony from pathologists and paediatricians, established that the child could not have independently formed or swallowed a wad of tissue found obstructing his airway. The child's mother delivered an impact statement describing the trauma she has endured since her son's death. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy imposed the mandatory life sentence as prescribed by law.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father is jailed for life after jury finds him guilty of murdering infant son. Charges or matters: murdering six-and-a-half-month old Joshua Sussbier Tighe at his home on June 1, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 1, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 31, 2013 Other
- 2018-03-23 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murdering six-and-a-half-month old Joshua Sussbier Tighe at his home on June 1, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Following her statement, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy addressed Tighe and told him: "As prescribed by law I hereby sentence you to prison for life." Tighe had always maintained that his son's death was accidental, telling gardai that he had carelessly left a wad of tissue within the baby's reach while he went to the toilet.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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