Minimum 12-yr prison sentence for evil killers
Mcentee pledge over new parole laws
HELEN Mcentee has pledged new laws meaning killers will serve a minimum of 12 years in jail will be up and running by July.
The Justice Minister yesterday outlined plans for the long-awaited Parole Act and said she was determined to keep the Government’s promise to victims’ families.
A new Parole Board – a key requirement of campaigners – will also be set up with staff and a CEO to be appointed in the
New Year. Under the new legislation, prisoners serving life sentences will no longer be able to apply for parole after seven years as is currently the case. The fully independent Parole Board will also include a victims’ representative for the first time in the history of the State. Among those to welcome the news was Cork woman Sinead O’leary whose best friend Nichola Sweeney was knifed to death in front Helen Mcentee of her in April 2002. Sinead was fatally injured in the frenzied attack by Peter Whelan, who has since made five parole bids and enjoyed numerous day releases from prison.
She said: “It feels as if our great losses and ongoing trauma and suffering are finally being acknowledged.
“We have been failed in the past. This has been a long and arduous road... I am grateful to each and every family in their bravery for speaking out.”
Minister Mcentee said she expects accommodation for the new Board to be secured by early spring, with the
ORDEAL Sinead O’leary
appointment of staff and the CEO soon after.
She added: “A formal plan to include written communications to victims and parole applicants is currently under development.
“I am fully committed to establishing the new Board as soon as possible on a statutory footing and to take account of the concerns of victims and survivors.”
Ms Mcentee noted the current Parole Board has a significant case backlog and said it was “vital” it be cleared before the new board begins operating.