'He could have reflected and stopped,' says judge as she hands down sentence for Cork murder

Flowers at the residence on Rockview Terrace, Doneraile, Co Cork, where the body of postman Barry Daly was discovered in October last year. Picture: Dan Linehan

The teenager who was sentenced for murdering 44-year-old Doneraile postman Barry Daly had at least half an hour to calm down and decide against taking part in the fatal attack.

The sentencing judge said it was an aggravating factor that he pressed on — even with all of that time to stop.

Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford said of the 17-year-old who was convicted by a jury of the crime of murder: “This was not an attack that could be described as entirely spontaneous. Asked to get weapons, he did. Various people tried to disarm him. 

"He assaulted a man who tried to calm things down. He followed Barry Daly to his home. Doing so, he had an opportunity to reflect — at least half an hour. He could have reflected and stopped. These are aggravating factors.” 

A sentence of 11 years with the last three years suspended was imposed on this 17-year-old for his part in the "vicious" murder of postman Barry Daly in Doneraile in the front garden of his home last October.

A 16-year-old who confessed to manslaughter for his part was sentenced to two-and-a-half years with the last six months suspended for his lesser role.

Sentencing commenced a fortnight ago with the life sentence imposed on 21-year-old Alex Deady of Glenview, Convent Road, Doneraile, County Cork, for murder. The judge repeated today that he was the “undoubted instigator”.

Sentencing today of the two teenagers brings to a close a process which started trial at the Central Criminal Court at the beginning of June.