Killer ‘must serve 15 years before temporary release’

A FORMER soldier, who killed a young woman over 13 years ago, has been told he will not be eligible for any form of temporary release until he has served at least 15 years.

Sean Courtney, described as a model prisoner by insiders, is in the pre-release training unit of Mountjoy Prison.

Now 37, Courtney was jailed in 1993 for the murder two years previously of insurance agent Patricia O’Toole, who was beaten to death. The lifer had applied for temporary release to attend a graphic design course but this has been denied on the orders of Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

“I have decided that it would not be appropriate to grant him any form of temporary release until he has served at least 15 years of his sentence,” said Mr McDowell.

The minister has taken the hardline stance despite glowing reports about Courtney and lobbying by a member of the Dáil.

Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh called on the minister to reconsider his decision. He said Courtney has been described by a prison review committee as a model prisoner, has never been cited for misconduct, drug or alcohol abuse or self-harm and has a good relationship with all staff and fellow prisoners.

The minister took the decision to block any temporary release after fully considering the circumstances of his offence, according to a Dáil written answer.

Courtney appeared before the Parole Board in 2003 and is expected to have a second hearing in 2006, after serving 13 years.

The former soldier killed 31-year-old Ms O’Toole in the early hours of August 31, 1991. He beat her to death after driving her to the Dublin mountains.

He claimed to have killed her during a moment of madness brought on by post traumatic stress disorder suffered after a tour of duty in the Lebanon.