Courts / Limerick / Report
'Evil' stepmother who murdered boy (4) unmasked as court lifts press ban
Summary
A 32-year-old woman, Tegan McGhee, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of four-year-old Mason O'Connell Conway in Limerick City in 2021. The court lifted a press ban, allowing her identity to be revealed. McGhee was also sentenced to four years and six months for child cruelty, which will run concurrently with her life sentence. The child was found with serious injuries and died three days later. The judge described the abuse as an 'appalling breach of trust' and commended the child's mother for her courage in delivering a victim impact statement. The child's father, John Paul O'Connell, was previously sentenced to seven years for endangerment and obstructing McGhee's prosecution. The court heard that the child was deliberately isolated and subjected to disproportionate punishment by both parents. The mother described her son as a loving and caring child who brought joy to their lives. She expressed deep sorrow and anger at the loss of her son and the betrayal by those who were supposed to protect him.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Evil' stepmother who murdered boy (4) unmasked as court lifts press ban. Charges or matters: endangerment, neglect and impeding McGhee's apprehension or prosecution, knowing or believing she had murdered his son. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 16, 2021 Other
- March 13th, 2021 Other
- March 13, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-01-14 Publication
Why: She said: "It looked like he had been hit on more than one occasion because of the different colours. CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: endangerment, neglect and impeding McGhee's apprehension or prosecution, knowing or believing she had murdered his son (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: John Paul O'Connell (36), was previously sentenced to seven years in prison having pleaded guilty to endangerment, neglect and impeding McGhee's apprehension or prosecution, knowing or believing she had murdered his son. Mr Justice McDermott also sentenced McGhee to four years and six months for two counts of child cruelty in the weeks and months leading up to the murder.
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