Mick Clifford: Judges must be allowed to set the minimum terms for murder sentences

Victims’ families question parole rules, compassionate leave, and sentencing powers as debate over justice system intensifies in Ireland

Deirdre McLaughlin holds a picture of her sister, Siobhán Kearney, at her home in Dalkey, Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney

Earlier this week, the Irish Examiner published an interview with Deirdre McLaughlin, the sister of murder victim Siobhán McLaughlin. The piece, written by Alison O’Reilly, was insightful, moving and raised some very relevant issues about the criminal justice system. It also brought me back to one of the most extraordinary trials I covered in the Four Courts.

In February 2008, Brian Kearney went on trial for the murder of his 38-year-old wife. The couple were well-off, both of them individually having been successful in business. They had a three-year-old son.