‘Nichola’s life is gone, but he could be let out’

‘IT was a pity I didn’t do more.” The words spoken by Peter Whelan as he was arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Nichola Sweeney and the frenzied attack on her friend Sinéad O’Leary haunt the dead girl’s family who believe it showed his absolute intention to slaughter them that night.

His chilling words and horrific attack have driven the Sweeneys to begin a campaign to ensure Peter Whelan, and all others who take a life, must pay for their crime by forfeiting their liberty for the rest of their lives. The Sweeneys, through the Nichola Sweeney Foundation, hope to ensure that a life sentence will truly mean life.

The family has been devastated by the seemingly motiveless attack on the girls. At around 11pm on Saturday April 27, 2002, as the two prepared to go out, 19-year-old Whelan entered the Sweeney’s house in Rochestown, Co Cork, with two knives.