Mother of murder victim: 25 years’ jail ‘not enough’

A mother whose sex offender ex-boyfriend murdered her infant daughter has branded his 25-year prison term too lenient.

Barry McCarney, aged 33, of Woodview Crescent, Trillick, Co Tyrone, was yesterday jailed for life in Belfast Crown Court for the murder of 15-month-old Millie Martin in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, in 2009.

Millie’s mother Rachael said her former partner deserved a harsher punishment. “I don’t think it was long enough,” Ms Martin said outside court yesterday. “Twenty-five years isn’t long enough.”

McCarney’s father Kevin insisted his son was innocent of the murder. “We will be appealing the case and we know he will be proved innocent,” he said.

Mr Justice Ben Stephens explained that the sentencing framework in the North was different to that in England and Wales, where a whole-life term could be handed down.

He said the offence was serious enough to use the upward starting point guide of 15 to 16 years.

Explaining that aggravating features, among them the vulnerability and fragility of the victim, required him to make a “substantial upward adjustment”, the judge told McCarney he would have to serve at least 25 years.

The judge described him as a “deeply manipulative individual devoid of any regard for social norms”.

“You perceived Millie to be yours to abuse when opportunity presented,” said the judge.

McCarney was last year unanimously found guilty of the murder. He was also found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and sexual assault.

Mr Justice Stephens yesterday gave him a life sentence with a six-year minimum tariff and an indeterminate sentence with a two-year minimum. Those terms will run concurrently with his murder tariff.

Once the 25-year term is spent, McCarney can only be released, on licence, if parole commissioners deem that he no longer presents a danger to the public.