Murder victim Nicola Furlong’s father condemns betting on outcome of Pistorius trial

The father of murdered Irish student Nicola Furlong has described Paddy Power’s decision to allow bets on the Oscar Pistorius trial as “disgusting” — asking if the bookmaker would put up odds if his own children had died.

Andrew Furlong, whose 21-year-old daughter was killed in Tokyo in May 2012, made the claim on RTÉ radio’s Liveline show, saying the decision to place “novelty” bets on the high-profile murder trial brought shame to the country.

On Monday, Paddy Power controversially published adverts featuring Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius — who is accused of killing his model girlfriend Reena Steenkamp — ‘mocked up’ as an Oscar trophy, with the slogan: “It’s Oscar time. Money back if he walks. We will refund all losing bets on the trial if he is found not guilty.”