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Belfast, Northern Ireland – Sean Hegarty, 41, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Caron Smyth, 40, and Finbar McGrillen, 34, in January 2017, with a minimum term of 27 years. The sentencing follows a lengthy investigation and inquest that revealed systemic failures in the release and monitoring of hegarty, a repeat offender with 72 prior convictions.
The victims were found at a property on Ravenhill Avenue in Belfast. Post-mortem examinations revealed they suffered multiple injuries, including fractured ribs, damaged organs, and wounds to the head, neck, and chest, consistent with being assaulted through punching, kicking, and stamping. Hegarty and his accomplice, Ciaran Nugent, 25, had consumed cocaine prior to the attacks and attempted to conceal evidence by disposing of cigarette butts and othre items in nearby bins.
During sentencing at Belfast Crown Court, judge Irvine KC highlighted Hegarty’s repeated disregard for the wellbeing of a child, noting two instances where he failed to seek medical attention for the child, resulting in life-threatening injuries. He also emphasized Hegarty’s aggressive behaviour towards the child both before and after the assaults.
Ciaran Nugent was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for his role in the murders. The case has drawn significant scrutiny due to the circumstances surrounding Hegarty’s release from custody. He was released to a property lacking electricity, despite the requirement for power to operate his electronic monitoring tag.
A Police Ombudsman’s report in 2017 concluded that the police’s decision-making process leading to Hegarty’s release was flawed. Furthermore, the coroner at the inquest into the deaths of Smyth and McGrillen stated that the lack of action by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) contributed to the fatal outcome, asserting that Hegarty should not have been permitted to return to the public.
