Bereaved family could bump into their son's killer on the street

Paula and Michael Loughlin, parents of Jimmy Loughlin who died in 2018, when Richard McLaughlin, burst through the front door of his home in Sligo and killed him with a crowbar. Picture: James Connolly

Michael and Paula Loughlin could bump into their son’s killer any day now. As far as they are aware, Richard McLaughlin has been released from the Central Mental Hospital (CMH). They are unsure of his exact location or circumstances, as communication with the CMH broke down. 

The Loughlins, whose son Jimmy was beaten to death by McLaughlin in 2018, wanted a meeting with both the hospital and the minister for justice, who has the ultimate decision on whether a patient is fit for release. Their request was not granted.