Courts / Donegal / Report
14 years for brutal killing of Jasmine McMonagle
Summary
Richard Burke has been sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment by the Central Criminal Court for the manslaughter of Jasmine McMonagle. The 32-year-old from Killygordon, County Donegal, was found guilty of manslaughter following Ms McMonagle's death on 4 January 2019 at Forest Park, Killygordon. Mr Justice Paul Burns determined that Burke's responsibility was substantially diminished by mental disorder, though he retained considerable culpability for the killing. The judge imposed a sentence of fifteen years with the final twelve months suspended for five years, backdated to Burke's initial custody. Burke must undergo psychiatric assessment before release and comply with prescribed medical treatment and probation requirements or face serving the suspended portion. Ms McMonagle, aged 28, was discovered deceased in her home following a three-hour standoff with gardaí. Her two young daughters were present in the house at the time but unharmed. The trial, held in Monaghan earlier in 2023, heard evidence from two psychiatrists regarding Burke's mental state at the time of the offence. The unnamed man was acquitted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 14 years for brutal killing of Jasmine McMonagle. Charges or matters: manslaughter and in garda interviews expressed "remorse, shame, self-hate and disgust" for what he had done. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- January 4, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas Incident
- 2023-05-22 Publication
Why: She said because of the actions of one person, Jasmine will never get to see her two daughters grow up and she will never get to have a happy life "free from fear and pain". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: manslaughter and in garda interviews expressed "remorse, shame, self-hate and disgust" for what he had done (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; A man who previously threatened to kill his on-off partner before strangling her to death during a psychotic episode after taking unprescribed drugs has been jailed for 14 years. Judge Burns imposed a sentence of 15 years with the final year suspended for five years.
Places mentioned
- Forest Park
- was brought to Letterkenny Garda Station
- Letterkenny
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
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