Courts / Louth / Report
Seven years for "worst case" manslaughter too lenient, DPP say
Summary
Joseph Hillen, aged 25, was found guilty of manslaughter for stabbing taxi driver Martin Mulligan, aged 53, near Dundalk on 28 September 2015. Hillen admitted stabbing Mulligan after an altercation but denied murder. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon on 28 January 2019. The sentencing judge noted the jury's view that Hillen believed he was acting in self‑defence. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient, citing the brutality of the attack, Hillen's prior convictions, and his lack of honesty. The Court of Appeal will consider the appeal, with no decision yet announced. The case remains at the appeal stage. Joseph Hillen pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Seven years for "worst case" manslaughter too lenient, DPP say. Charges or matters: manslaughter by a Central Criminal Court jury and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with the final year suspended by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon on January 28, 2019. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- September 28, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 28, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-11-19 Publication
Why: He said the car was pursued by gardaí, but the pursuit had to be abandoned because it was deemed too "dangerous". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: manslaughter by a Central Criminal Court jury and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with the final year suspended by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon on January 28, 2019 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Passing sentence, Ms Justice Creedon said the verdict suggested the jury accepted Hillen believed he was acting in self-defence. The Director of Public Prosecutions are seeking a review of Hillen's sentence on grounds it was "unduly lenient".
Convicted Person
Charges: manslaughter by a Central Criminal Court jury and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with the final year suspended by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon on January 28, 2019 (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Mr Treacy said the sentence was unduly lenient due to the particular devastation caused to the Mulligan family, the build-up to the killing, the aftermath, the use of the knife, the "brutality", Hillen's convictions for dangerous driving while on bail for the killing, his previous convictions and his "lack of honesty".
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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