Courts / Dublin / Report
Family will never understand murder of "gentle giant", court told
Summary
Warren Nolan, 22, was sentenced today by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for the murder of Alan O'Neill. Nolan was found guilty of this charge by a majority jury verdict in December. He was also found guilty by unanimous verdict of setting fire to the car used in the attack. For the arson, the judge imposed a six-year sentence, noting that while an appropriate range was seven to ten years, he considered Nolan's young age and mitigating factors. Both sentences were backdated to September 2017. The court heard from Doris O'Neill, the victim's mother, who described her son as a "gentle giant" and stated she would never understand his murder. Counsel for Nolan highlighted his difficult background and low intellectual ability, while the prosecution noted his 24 previous convictions, including a recent firearms offense. Evidence indicated the shooting was planned, with the stolen vehicle stalking the victim prior to the attack. Nolan was arrested near a burning car and denied involvement in the murder during interviews, claiming he only set the vehicle alight. The judge's sentencing concluded the procedural stage for these proven charges.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Family will never understand murder of "gentle giant", court told. Charges or matters: Mr O'Neill's murder by a majority jury verdict in December. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- May 27, 2015 Incident
- September 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2015 Incident
- 2019-01-14 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: Mr O'Neill's murder by a majority jury verdict in December (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Mr Justice Paul McDermott today sentenced Nolan to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder and six years for setting the car on fire. In sentencing Nolan for setting the car on fire, Mr Justice McDermott said an appropriate sentence would be between seven and ten years but taking into account his young age and other mitigating factors he sentenced him to six years.
Places mentioned
Topics
Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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