Courts / Cork / Report
Violent criminal gets 12 years for killing homeless man by pushing him down rubbish chute
Summary
The Court of Appeal has quashed the second murder conviction of David O'Loughlin, substituting it with a manslaughter verdict after finding no evidence he intended to kill or cause serious harm to Liam Manley. Mr Justice Michael White at the Central Criminal Court subsequently sentenced O'Loughlin to 12 years' imprisonment. The judge set a headline sentence of 18 years, reduced it to 14 years based on mitigating factors, and suspended the final two years on conditions of good behaviour, probation supervision for two years, and attendance at directed therapeutic services. The sentence was backdated to May 23, 2013, when O'Loughlin first entered custody, meaning he can expect release in early 2022. The court noted O'Loughlin's "serious propensity for violence" and his 54 previous convictions, including multiple assaults causing serious harm. However, mitigating factors included his guilty plea to manslaughter prior to his first trial, his academic achievements in prison, and his tragic background involving domestic violence. The appeal process followed the overturning of his first conviction due to jury irregularities and the subsequent retrial where he was initially convicted of murder.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Violent criminal gets 12 years for killing homeless man by pushing him down rubbish chute. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Manley at O'Loughlin's apartment in Cork on May 12, 2013. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- May 23, 2013 Incident
- January 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 12, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2005 Incident
- December 2005 Incident
- 2021-07-20 Publication
Why: He will need to be supervised after release, the judge said, because he remains at high risk of committing crimes of violence. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: murdering Mr Manley at O'Loughlin's apartment in Cork on May 12, 2013 (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; A criminal with a "serious propensity for violence" has been jailed for 12 years for killing a vulnerable homeless man by pushing him down a rubbish chute. The judge set a headline sentence of 18 years but having considered mitigating factors reduced that to 14 years and further suspended the final two years on condition that he be of good behaviour, remain under the supervision of the probation service for two years and attend all courses or therapeutic services directed by the probation service during that time.
Places mentioned
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