Courts / Louth / Report
Family of slain taxi driver say justice system has failed them
Summary
Joseph Hillen was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court today for the manslaughter of 53-year-old Martin Mulligan, who was killed at Carnmore, Balriggan, Dundalk, Co Louth, on September 28, 2015. A jury previously found Hillen not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon stated the killing fell in the upper-mid range of such offences, setting a headline sentence of ten years. Considering mitigating factors, including Hillen's offer to plead guilty, his stable employment, lack of previous violent convictions, and expressed remorse, she reduced the sentence to seven years. The final year was suspended on conditions of good behaviour, keeping the peace, and engaging with probation services. Hillen, of Glendasha Road, Forkhill, Co Armagh, was assessed as a moderate risk of re-offending. The court noted the jury accepted his claim of self-defence but found he used excessive force. Outside court, Martin Mulligan's daughter Shauna Mulligan stated the justice system had failed the family, calling the outcome unfair. His wife Grainne described the family as devastated, while his other daughter Sharon noted the family's grief. The family expressed that they felt the legal process did not adequately reflect the severity of the loss.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Family of slain taxi driver say justice system has failed them. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 28, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas Other
- 2019-01-28 Publication
Why: " His other daughter Sharon said the family is "devastated" and she added that it is "unfair" that Hillen's account of what happened on the night her father died was taken as "gospel" because her father wasn't there to give his side. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: Ms Justice Eileen Creedon sentenced Joseph Hillen at the Central Criminal Court today after a jury last year found him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for the killing of 53-year-old Martin Mulligan at Carnmore, Balriggan, Dundalk, Co Louth on September 28, 2015. Ms Justice Creedon said Mr Mulligan's killing was in the upper-mid range of such offences and so she set the headline sentence at ten years.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- The way
Topics
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