Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Mum’s compassion for family of man who killed her son
Judge told she doesn’t care if defendant is jailed
A MOTHER whose son was killed with one punch yesterday spoke of her sympathy for the attacker’s mother.
Roseanne Mcdonagh said she “didn’t care” if Finbar Mccoy Junior went to prison for causing the death during an incident at a bar in January 2016.
James Mcdonagh died from injuries sustained by falling backwards and hitting his head off the ground after he was punched once in the face.
The 28-year-old member of the Travelling Community never regained consciousness and after being brought to his mother’s house he was later taken to hospital where he died.
Ms Mcdonagh described losing her son as “like having my heart ripped out” but added she “didn’t care” if Mccoy went to prison as the family were more concerned about him accepting responsibility.
Derry Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard from Mrs Mcdonagh as the 26-year-old defendant, from Tamlaghduff Road in Bellaghy, was due to be sentenced for manslaughter.
Last year Mccoy stood trial, with a jury returning a hung verdict.
He was due to go on trial for a second time but earlier this month he changed his plea and admitted unlawfully killing Mr Mcdonagh.
During yesterday’s hearing, trial judge Mrs Justice Keegan was told Mccoy’s plea came as he didn’t want to put either Mr Mcdonagh’s family or his own through the ordeal of a second trial. The judge heard about the “devastating” impact Mr Mcdonagh’s death has had on his family, with Crown prosecutor Ciaran Murphy saying his grieving mother had acted with extreme dignity and compassion.
He told how Mrs Mcdonagh said she “felt sorry for Finbar’s mother, father and his family”.
She added: “I don’t care if Finbar sees the inside of a prison. We just wanted recognition for what he done – causing Jim’s death”. Regarding punishment, Mrs Mcdonagh reiterated her sympathy for Mccoy’s parents and said it would be “an awful thing to see your child go to jail”.
The fatal incident occurred in the car park of the Elk in Toome, Co Derry, in the early hours of January 10, 2016.
Mr Mcdonagh had been socialising in the bar with his nephew, while the Mccoy family were also there celebrating Finbar Mccoy Senior’s retirement.
Mr Murphy said Mr Mcdonagh was seen becoming “increasingly intoxicated” and at one stage was giving unwarranted attention to a female in the Mccoy party.
The prosecutor said while Finbar Junior had left to go home, his father was involved in an altercation with Mr Mcdonagh in the car park.
Mr Mcdonagh punched Finbar Senior, while Mrs Mccoy was seen “picking herself up off the ground”.
Finbar Junior returned to the scene and believing his mother had been hit by Mr Mcdonagh he punched him.
Telling the court Mccoy’s regret and remorse was genuine, defence barrister Eilish Macdermott said it was in the forefront of his mind “a young man lost his life”.
Mrs Justice Keegan said she wanted time to reflect on matters and scheduled sentencing to take place on Friday.