Sweeney murderer to appeal sentence

Peter Whelan who admitted murdering a teenager at her home in Cork last April and attempting to murder the victim's friend is going to appeal against the sentence imposed on him.

It emerged today that Peter Whelan (aged 20) from Ashgrove, Underwood, Rochestown, Cork, will challenge the sentence.

Defence solicitor, Joseph Cuddigan, said that there would be an appeal against the fact that Mr Justice Paul Carney sentenced Whelan to life for murder and then imposed a 15 years sentence to commence at the end of the life sentence.

"The life sentence with a consecutive 15 years is presently under appeal on the basis that a life sentence means a life sentence and it is not known to law that you can have a consecutive sentence on a life sentence," Mr Cuddigan said.

Mr Cuddigan made the point as Whelan was brought before Cork District Court today on public order charges that pre-dated the murder and attempted murder.

Those charges related to two incidents in Carrigaline, County Cork, on January 7 and March 17 2001.

Both occurred in the early hours of the morning when Whelan was found to be threatening and abusive in the town.

Judge Uinsin MacGruairc imposed fines totalling €500 which will be served as ten days in prison in default of payment.

Whelan attempted to murder Sinead O'Leary at Underwood House, Rochestown, Cork, on April 27, and he murdered Nicola Sweeney there. Both victims were aged 19.