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.

That such a dramatic criminal trial should reach its conclusion in Christmas week seemed particularly cruel, although purely coincidental.

During the morning session, trial judge Mr Justice Henry Abbott expressed amazement that none of the three accused had made any attempt to apologise to any of the five other people they had either robbed or assaulted on the same day before the final tragic event.

The judge said the lack of such an expression of remorse represented "a frightful malaise."

Finally, shortly after 4pm the normal finishing time for court hearings Mr Justice Abbott indicated he was ready to address the main issue of sentencing of the three youths.

Due to his earlier ruling, there was no great surprise when the judge said he had no discretion but to impose a life sentence on Dunne for the murder of Alan Higgins.

The words of Mr Justice Abbott provided little comfort for the family as he noted that Dunne had committed three robberies and two assaults on other youths during "an evening-long campaign of absolute banditry."

Meanwhile, tears filled the eyes of Alan's mother and sister, as the judge went on to observe that the transition-year student at the time of his death had enjoyed "an ideal day" for young people everywhere one that involved his favourite hobby of golf, meeting his girlfriend and going home to be up for work early the following day.

"That was destroyed in a very short time with the use of a knife," said the judge.

Mr Justice Abbott handed down a further sentence of 13 years for the robbery of Alan's mobile phone, wallet and cash and various terms for the other offences.

Next up, Maher showed no outward sign of emotion as he was given a 10-year sentence with the final seven years suspended.

A short time later, Whelan was given an eight-year sentence with six years suspended.