Dunbar begins life sentence for manslaughter of teenager

CHILD-KILLER Ronnie Dunbar has begun a life sentence for the manslaughter of Melissa Mahon in what a judge described as an “appalling breach of trust” by the 44-year-old father of three.

Dunbar, also known as Ronald McManus, of Rathbraughan Park, Sligo, was cleared in May of the 14-year-old’s murder but was found guilty of her manslaughter after evidence from his daughters that he strangled their friend who was on the run from a care home.

At his sentencing hearing yesterday, Justice Barry White told the killer that while the penalties open to the court in manslaughter cases were extensive, there were “rare and exceptional” occasions when the most severe penalty — life imprisonment — was warranted and this was one such case.

Melissa was a “disturbed, fragile and vulnerable child” and Dunbar had blatantly breached a court order not to associate with her, Justice White said. “You were old enough to be her father. You preyed upon her fragility and vulnerability and you took advantage of her,” he said.

After killing the teenager in 2006, Dunbar dumped her body in Lough Gill where it wasn’t found for more than a year. “Having taken Melissa’s life you engaged in a cover-up. You disposed of her body in a manner not befitting an animal,” Justice White said.

The decomposition of Melissa’s remains prevented any meaningful post mortem, leaving questions about how exactly she died and whether she was pregnant when she died.

Justice White said he was aware of the argument that because the State could not establish the cause of death, Dunbar should receive a sentence at the lower end of the scale.

However, he said, to be swayed by such an argument: “I would have to ignore the fact that the State’s opportunity or ability to carry out a meaningful post mortem and therefore determine the cause of death was frustrated by direct consequence of your deliberate actions.”

Speaking directly to Dunbar, Justice White said: “Throughout your trial I had reason to observe you closely. You came across to me as having a disdainful, scornful if not contemptuous attitude to your surroundings.

“I am satisfied there are no mitigating factors in this case. You are a man of bad character. You did not cooperate with the Garda Síochána or assist them in their inquiry. A plea to manslaughter was never offered and you have not expressed remorse or apologised for your behaviour.”

Justice White said one of the other questions left unanswered by Melissa’s death was whether allegations that she suffered abuse at home were true or false but he said her family were entitled to the presumption of innocence in the absence of proof.

He also referred to his description of contents of Melissa’s mother’s victim impact statement on Monday as “disingenuous”: “My comments on Monday were not directed at Melissa’s siblings and they were not intended to be so directed. There is no suggestion of a lack of cooperation on their part.”

Mr Grehan applied for leave to appeal both his client’s conviction and sentence but Justice White refused. An application for leave to appeal can be made to the Court of Criminal Appeal.