Man gets life for murder of Galway schoolgirl

At the Central Criminal Court, a Co Galway man has been jailed for life for the rape and murder of a Galway schoolgirl.

Her body was found at a remote beach on the Galway coast in December 1998.

27-year-old John McDonagh from Carraroe cried out "I didn't do it", as the jury found him guilty of the rape and murder of 17-year-old Siobhan Hynes.

The jury of nine women and three men deliberated for over 11 hours, over three days, before returning a unanimous verdict.

As the guilty verdicts were announced to a packed courtroom, John McDonagh was comforted by his family as he cried out "Jesus Christ, I didn't do it".

Siobhan's parents, Andy and Brid, cried and hugged each other and said they were delighted.

Andy Hynes said: "It's one chapter closed, we'll never get Siobhan back. The McDonaghs will get their son back some day, but we'll never get Siobhan back. I'd like people to remember that".

John McDonagh has been jailed for life for the murder of Siobhan Hynes, he will be sentenced for the rape count next month.