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Brutal killer who left father of two to die on side of road back behind bars
Summary
Joseph Hillen, 29, was taken back into custody following an appeal regarding the activation of his suspended sentence. Hillen was originally convicted by a ten-to-two majority jury of the manslaughter of Martin Mulligan in 2018. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with the final year suspended. The State appealed this sentence as unduly lenient, and in November 2019, the Court of Appeal increased the term to nine years, with the final 12 months suspended. Hillen was released from Mountjoy prison on March 30, 2022, after serving five years and 11 months. Two weeks later, on April 14, 2023, he allegedly drove a car at his mother, assaulted her, and committed other offences. He pleaded guilty at Lisburn Magistrates Court to assaulting his mother, criminal damage, dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer, possession of cocaine, driving while unfit, aggravated theft, and driving without a licence or insurance. In July 2023, he received an eight-month fully suspended sentence. The State subsequently applied to activate the suspended portion of his manslaughter sentence under Section 99 of the Criminal Justice Act. On January 29, 2024, Ms Justice Creedon activated nine months of the 12-month suspended sentence, resulting in Hillen being taken back into custody.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Brutal killer who left father of two to die on side of road back behind bars. Charges or matters: the assault of his mother, criminal damage to her wall when he crashed the car, dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer in resisting arrest and possession of cocaine; driving while unfit through drunk or drugs, aggravated theft of a car and driving without a licence or insurance; manslaughter by a ten-to-two majority 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: Convicted
When:
- October 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 28, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 30 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 14, 2023 Incident
- July 2023 Incident
- January 29 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 28, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-02-12 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the assault of his mother, criminal damage to her wall when he crashed the car, dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer in resisting arrest and possession of cocaine; driving while unfit through drunk or drugs, aggravated theft of a car and driving without a licence or insurance; manslaughter by a ten-to-two majority and was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with the final year suspended by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon on January 28, 2019 (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Hillen was released from Mountjoy prison on March 30 of last year after serving five years and 11 months of a sentence of nine years with the final 12 months suspended. Two weeks later, Hillen went on a rampage in the early hours of April 14, 2023, during which he drove a car at his mother at her address and assaulted her despite just beginning the suspended portion of his sentence for the manslaughter of Mr Mulligan.
Accused
Charges: the assault of his mother, criminal damage to her wall when he crashed the car, dangerous driving, assaulting a police officer in resisting arrest and possession of cocaine; driving while unfit through drunk or drugs, aggravated theft of a car and driving without a licence or insurance; manslaughter by a ten-to-two majority and was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with the final year suspended by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon on January 28, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Two weeks later, Hillen went on a rampage in the early hours of April 14, 2023, during which he drove a car at his mother at her address and assaulted her despite just beginning the suspended portion of his sentence for the manslaughter of Mr Mulligan.
Places mentioned
- Glendasha Road
- Foughilletra Road
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Mountjoy prison
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Appeal Theft Violent Crime
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