O'Donoghue apology was "a stunt", says Robert's father

[GavinZac]

Perverting the cause of justice, wasting police time, I’m sure there are a few more things.As i said, if the police started charging people who voluntarily gave themselves up, confessed and pleaded guilty with "perverting the cause of justice" (afaik, since no contact had been made between the police and WOD before him giving himself up, it would be impossible to use this charge anyway... perverting the course of justice usually refers to lying to police and/or the courts) then what hope would they ever have of people giving themselves up?
I find it so hard to believe that you could be so cold as to say that the boys’ body was nothing less than a suit of clothes.As a rational Buddhist, I believe that the physical is transient and hollow without the personality inside it. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust and all that. I just fail to see how the treatment of the body should affect anyone since it cannot get any more dead. I will agree however that he was definitely at fault for...
What his parents went through, hoping that he was still alive. He gave them false hope. Though he has admitted and apologised for it since his first confession. What more can he do? Ask for these other charges? He cannot, since our rights protect against incriminating oneself.

I accept he’s served his time, but when you read Justice Carneys judgement, he deliberately gave him a short sentence, because he didn't want his sentence to be over turned.Carney did in fact factor in WOD's actions after the event:
"I am not punishing the accused expressly in respect of the cover-up, although it comes into play as part of the impact on the victims and I take it into account in that regard." If your concern is that Carney should have applied what is considered an extreme sentence and could be overturned to less than the 4 year sentence eventually applied, then your issue is with the justice system. The justice system is representative of the wishes of the Irish people and if it is not, then it is up to the Irish people to change this. Spewing bile at someone who cannot do any more than stew in his own remorse achieves nothing.

[Ringo]

As i said, if the police started charging people who voluntarily gave themselves up, confessed and pleaded guilty with "perverting the cause of justice" (afaik, since no contact had been made between the police and WOD before him giving himself up, it would be impossible to use this charge anyway... perverting the course of justice usually refers to lying to police and/or the courts) then what hope would they ever have of people giving themselves up?As a rational Buddhist, I believe that the physical is transient and hollow without the personality inside it. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust and all that. I just fail to see how the treatment of the body should affect anyone since it cannot get any more dead. I will agree however that he was definitely at fault for... Though he has admitted and apologised for it since his first confession. What more can he do? Ask for these other charges? He cannot, since our rights protect against incriminating oneself.
Carney did in fact factor in WOD's actions after the event:
"I am not punishing the accused expressly in respect of the cover-up, although it comes into play as part of the impact on the victims and I take it into account in that regard." If your concern is that Carney should have applied what is considered an extreme sentence and could be overturned to less than the 4 year sentence eventually applied, then your issue is with the justice system. The justice system is representative of the wishes of the Irish people and if it is not, then it is up to the Irish people to change this. Spewing bile at someone who cannot do any more than stew in his own remorse achieves nothing.

4. Justice Carney :I must have regard to and take guidance from the fact that in recent times the Court of Criminal Appeal has decimated many of the manslaughter sentences imposed by Mr Justice White, Mr Justice Abbott and myself.

[GavinZac]

4. Justice Carney :I must have regard to and take guidance from the fact that in recent times the Court of Criminal Appeal has decimated many of the manslaughter sentences imposed by Mr Justice White, Mr Justice Abbott and myself.Yes I read that far. So, what is your solution, if you feel the sentence was too short? Chastise Carney for not giving a heftier sentence, while this would have been running the risk of letting it be "decimated" by natural process? Chastise the Court of Appeal for doing said decimation according with Irish law as set by Irish people? Make idle threats to WOD's safety?

[anto1208]

If it was my child. Think that sums it up.

What if it was your child that was messing with his mate his mate dies in a freak accident your child panics and hides the body. Then gets locked up in prison where he gets treatend every single day , the newspapers call your kid a child killer a peado ?

[pete]

It would not be logical to charge defendants with wasting Garda time. Would they only get charged when takes Gardai longer to find the body?

If you stole a car & Gardai found it the next day is that lesser charge than if it took them 2 weeks?

[Lionel Ritchie]

It would not be logical to charge defendants with wasting Garda time. Would they only get charged when takes Gardai longer to find the body?

If you stole a car & Gardai found it the next day is that lesser charge than if it took them 2 weeks?

I'm inclined to agree. A defendant charged with such could ask why every person who supplied information to the cops-where such infirmation turned out to be unconnected or irrelevant - wasn't charged as well.

On one hand I'm tempted as I'd personally like to see every Empath, Seer, Psychic, 7th son and assorted other miscellaneous chancers who saw an opportunity to make a rep for themselves on anothers misfortune hauled before the courts on charges of obstruction, wasting police time and even accessory after the fact. But to do so is probably to chuck the babba out with the bathwater.

[Ringo]

Yes I read that far. So, what is your solution, if you feel the sentence was too short? Chastise Carney for not giving a heftier sentence, while this would have been running the risk of letting it be "decimated" by natural process? Chastise the Court of Appeal for doing said decimation according with Irish law as set by Irish people? Make idle threats to WOD's safety?

From what he is saying in his statement he's guessing the sentence could be reduced on appeal. So rather than give the sentence he wanted to, he deliberately gave a shorter sentence.

[Risteard]

It's amazing how quickly some things can die down.
Statement probably calmed the hysteria rather than him being sped out of some side-exit of the prison.
Thankfully, the media overload seems to have passed a lot quicker than expected.

[anto1208]

Makes a mockary of the suns claim that this was what the public wanted to hear and they would hunt the story down. The vast majority of peopel think he has done his time thats it which is good to see.

[GavinZac]

From what he is saying in his statement he's guessing the sentence could be reduced on appeal. So rather than give the sentence he wanted to, he deliberately gave a shorter sentence.

Yes I know that, but you haven't given a solution to such a predicament.

[Ringo]

Yes I know that, but you haven't given a solution to such a predicament.


Other than the judge to have the courage of his convictions to Give the sentence he really wants to:confused: He was making a point that he doesnt want his sentences changed.

[GavinZac]

Other than the judge to have the courage of his convictions to Give the sentence he really wants to:confused: He was making a point that he doesnt want his sentences changed.
You would prefer he give a longer sentence and risk having it reduced, perhaps to less than the 4 years?

[Thunderblaster]

Under Irish law, a sentence for manslaughter can range from a suspended sentence to life imprisonment.

[Ringo]

You would prefer he give a longer sentence and risk having it reduced, perhaps to less than the 4 years?

I think trying to second guess , what the court of crimal appeal, might do is wrong. He obvously wanted to give a longer sentence & didn't. Any sentence long or short can be appealed. if the sentence was appealed & shortened to less than 4 years , so be it.