‘Wayne must stay and rebuild his life’

WAYNE O’Donoghue’s former principal last night praised his “brave” statement and apology and urged him to rebuild his life in Cork.

But Midleton CBS principal Denis Ring, who was also due to be a character witness at Mr O’Donoghue’s sentencing hearing in 2006 for killing Robert Holohan, warned him to be on his guard.

“I have believed since day one that it was a tragic accident. I never believed that Wayne did it maliciously,” he said.

“I have also felt from day one that there should have been an opportunity for communication and reconciliation. That opportunity was denied by the legal system.”

He said he admired Mr O’Donoghue’s bravery for facing the media outside the Midlands Prison.

“I thought it was an honest statement of someone who wanted at the earliest possible opportunity to face the media and speak in a manner that conveyed his regret, expressed true sorrow to the Holohans and maybe ask for a chance to make amends,” he said.

Mr O’Donoghue was a pupil at the school from 1997 to 2003 and his youngest brother was a student there when Robert Holohan was killed.

Mr Ring urged his former student to stay in east Cork, at least in the short term.

“He should rebuild his family connections and reintegrate into society,” he said.

“None of us is an island. He should re-establish links with his friends, but be on his guard.

“At any given time, an individual may for whatever reason have a go — verbally, but hopefully not physically. He should walk away if that happens. Nothing he can say will change their minds, if they are of such a mind.”

Mr Ring, who was involved in the eight-day search for Robert, said it came as a shock to everyone that Mr O’Donoghue was responsible for Robert’s death.

He described the 23-year-old as “one of finest young men I have ever encountered”.

“He was a fine athlete, was big in to the soccer team and other activities like his mini company. He gave of his time to worthy causes.”

Mr Ring believed the vast majority of people would leave Mr O’Donoghue alone. “It will be hard for a minority to forgive, but they will leave him alone. There is great healing in forgiveness.”