Second murderer challenges life sentence

THE second of two convicted murderers began his legal High Court action yesterday against the Minister for Justice challenging the constitutionality of this country’s mandatory life sentence regime.

On February 10, 1997, Paul Lynch, aged 30, who is detained in Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, pleaded guilty to the murder of Donegal pensioner William Campbell, 77, at Mr Campbell’s home in February 1995 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was arrested in September 1995 and charged with the killing.

Ms Justice Mary Irvine yesterday directed that Mr Lynch could attend the hearing today.