Courts / Limerick / Report

Transfer of champ boxer's murderer to UK prison breaches mother's rights, High Court told

Date
2022-07-15

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

The High Court has heard arguments in a judicial review application by Tracey Tully, mother of murdered Irish Champion boxer Kevin Sheehy, challenging the Minister for Justice's decision to transfer convicted murderer Logan Jackson to a UK prison. Ms. Tully alleges the transfer breaches her rights under the 2017 Victim of Crime Act and the 2019 Parole Act, claiming it abdicating the State's responsibility for parole decisions and extinguishing her right to be consulted. She seeks a declaration that the decision is unconstitutional and an order quashing the transfer. The Minister's counsel argued that the legal threshold for leave was not met, asserting that Jackson's sentence was finalised and that UK systems allow victim input on parole. Jackson, who was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and sentenced to life imprisonment for Mr. Sheehy's murder, supported the Minister's position. Ms. Justice Siobhan Phelan reserved her decision on the leave application, indicating she intends to deliver her judgment before the current legal term concludes at the end of July. Jackson's proposed transfer remains on hold pending the outcome of this action.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Transfer of champ boxer's murderer to UK prison breaches mother's rights, High Court told. Charges or matters: Mr Sheehy's murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

July 1st, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
2022-07-15 Publication

Case subjects

Crime Act

Applicant

Logan Jackson

Convicted Person

Charges: Mr Sheehy's murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and was sentenced to life imprisonment (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Following his conviction, 31-year-old Jackson successfully applied to the Minister for Justice for a transfer from Ireland so he can serve out his sentence in an English prison. Counsel said that Jackson's sentence has been finalised.

Parole Act

Applicant