We fear Nicola’s killer will do it again
Andrew Furlong with Nicola PARENTS of children who have met a violent death live with the terror their killer will strike again, a grieving dad said last night.
Nicola Furlong, 21, was strangled to death during a vile sex attack in Japan six years ago.
Her heartbroken father Andrew has spoken out after a horrendous fortnight saw five Irish people killed – four here and one in the UK.
He said the families of Ana Kriegel, Jastine Valdez, Cameron Reilly, Robert Elston and Gearoid Gaffney face a similar trauma to the one he has experienced.
He told the Irish Mirror: “Every time there is a murder, it is awful.
“I know what they [the families] are going through and I wish I didn’t.”
Andrew also said the court cases will be traumatic for the recent murder victims’ families.
He added: “With the 24-year-old girl [Jastine Valdez], that man was shot dead and I think that is a good thing.
“I feel for the victim’s family and I know this means they don’t have to worry about him ever killing again.
“He can’t do this again. He’s dead so there will be no court case.
“The other families have to go through court cases, trials, apply for appeals and then face the fact the person might get out after just a couple of years. Life is supposed to be life.” Killer Mark Hennessy was shot dead by gardai hunting him down after he kidnapped Filipino student Jastine.
Her body was later found on a disused golf course in South Dublin after Hennessy left a note in his car.
Speaking about the death of Ana Kriegel, 14, over which a 13-year-old boy has been charged, Andrew said: “The two families have lost children. But I can obviously relate to how the little girl’s family are feeling. When a court case happens the family will have to listen to things brought up in court that no parent ever wants to hear.”
Andrew’s daughter Nicola was studying in Japan in 2012 when American musician Richard Hinds drugged her.
He carried her unconscious to his hotel room before raping and strangling her to death.
Hinds was jailed for between five and Lorraine Smyth, Bernadette O’leary, Wexford Mayor Jim Moore and district manager Angela Laffan 10 years. He was eligible for parole last year but Japanese authorities said they would keep him locked up.
Andrew said: “They are still keeping him in and hopefully he will stay there for 10 years. But I will always have the worry that he will do this again. A leopard doesn’t change his spots.”
Andrew was speaking ahead of the opening of Cuan Aingeal, a special memorial garden at Wexford Harbour for parents who have lost children through tragedy.
It was created by local women Bernadette O’leary and Lorraine Smyth.
Andrew will cut the ribbon when the garden is officially opened on June 17.
He said: “The idea for it came from Nicola, although it is not for Nicola.
“I am proud of the fact Nicola is how it started and yet I wish that wasn’t the case. I wish she wasn’t where she is now.
“From my point of view, I don’t go to the grave, because I can’t. So maybe this little plot might help me.
“It is somewhere else for people who cannot face the grave. It is for parents of children who died in all different circumstances murder, cot deaths, car accidents and suicide.
“If it was a lovely day you could sit there for a whole hour and take the time to remember your child and ponder.”