Killing ruins Christmas for four families

CHRISTMAS 2004 will be one never to forget for all the wrong reasons for four families from Dublin’s northside after events in the Central Criminal Court yesterday.

For three households the families of Christopher Dunne, Michael Maher and Anthony Whelan it will mean their sons and brothers face into a future of detention or imprisonment for periods ranging from life to eight years (two years given suspensions) for their role in the killing of Alan Higgins outside the UCI cinema in Coolock, Dublin on October 12, 2002.

For Alan's mother, Miriam and sister, Caitríona, the permanent loss of a loved one will be felt even more acutely as thoughts turn towards one's family at this time of year.