O’Donoghue will find it ‘extremely difficult’ to live here

THE solicitor representing Cork student Wayne O’Donoghue — set to be released from jail this week having served three years for the manslaughter of his 11-year-old neighbour Robert Holohan — said yesterday his client would find it “extremely difficult” to remain in Ireland in the near future.

He blamed likely media intrusion and possible fears of retribution.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said he couldn’t give any indication of O’Donoghue’s plans, due to client confidentiality.

However, he maintained the 23-year-old would be facing a “huge amount of difficulties” should he decide to remain in his native country.

“I believe he will find it extremely difficult to live in this jurisdiction in the future,” he said.

He said there would be further concern O’Donoghue would be “living in a relatively close proximity to the unfortunate Holohan family” if he stayed in Cork.

Mr Buttimer also addressed comments made by Justice Paul Carney last year. The solicitor said Justice Carney made a “legitimate point” when he raised the issue of the punishment laid down by the law for O’Donoghue not being deemed adequate in certain quarters, particularly the media.

“Judge Carney was effectively saying that because of his crime the ordinary punishment that has been set down by the criminal law has been deemed in certain quarters not to be adequate and that there is this notion of exile being the appropriate penalty. Wayne has served his sentence but now is that enough for people?”

Mr Buttimer added he believed the majority of people would wish to see O’Donoghue being left alone, as well as his family and the Holohans.

However, he feared “it would not be enough for certain quarters, particularly the media”.

Mr O’Donoghue is set to be released from the Midlands Prison this Wednesday having served three years of a four-year jail term for the manslaughter of the Midleton schoolboy.

The criminal conviction makes a move to Australia or the US all but impossible for O’Donoghue. It is understood that if he did move, it would be to relatively close destinations such as Britain or mainland Europe to allow him remain in contact with his parents Ray and Therese.

The former engineering student was said to have found life in prison extremely difficult.