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

**jebus** · 17/01/2008, 3:11 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

I think the point being made was probably more than it seems - to me at least - to have been pre-prepared by someone else. It would have come across as more believable if it used less...careful and flowery language and more natural language. It read like a press release, carefully drafted by someone else in conjunction with a solicitor. Now maybe that's not true, but that's the thought I had when I listened to it on the radio.

But isn't that always the way when a high profile prisioner is released? His lawyers draft a quick message of sorrow for he/she to read, they do so and then get on with adjusting back into society? Don't see why it should be pointed out in this case, and not in the case of others.

Plus I too surprisingly agree with GazinZac 100%

**Block G Raptor** · 17/01/2008, 3:21 PM

Originally Posted by jebus

But isn't that always the way when a high profile prisioner is released? His lawyers draft a quick message of sorrow for he/she to read, they do so and then get on with adjusting back into society? Don't see why it should be pointed out in this case, and not in the case of others.

I Agree the the media are making the whole thing into a circus, whilst as I've said earlier I don't think he should be out so soon, the fact is he is out and should be allowed to get on with his life in private. I reckon he would be better to leave the country, not because I think some thug will get to him(which may well be the case) but rather because he will not be able to build a real life for himself here now. for instance would many people give him a Job given that it would probably bring negative publicity to the company if the red top rags got hold of it.

**pete** · 17/01/2008, 3:42 PM

O'Donoghue made a terrible mistake & compounded this by not owning up to it. He was sentences according to the laws of the land however lenient that would appear.

The media have sunk to a new low in this matter as there is no story here & continued coverage serves no one least alone the victims family. It is like they are looking for vigilante's action.

**dahamsta** · 17/01/2008, 4:10 PM

What really peeves me is that there is blame to be had here - outside of the direct issue, I mean - and the media have skipped past that to the easy headline. If they had any real concern about the failings in this case, every media outlet would have a proper investigative journalist looking into the real failings, telling the country about them and suggesting how things can be changed to stop them happening again.

Of course that's not an option, because there isn't a talented investigative journalist in the country. Not one.

adam

**Risteard** · 17/01/2008, 4:24 PM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

What really peeves me is that there is blame to be had here - outside of the direct issue, I mean - and the media have skipped past that to the easy headline. If they had any real concern about the failings in this case, every media outlet would have a proper investigative journalist looking into the real failings, telling the country about them . . . . . . . . .

I suppose you could make an exception of this criticism to the Prime Time expose of the scientist, Jonathan Whittaker and his backtracking..

**Ringo** · 18/01/2008, 6:43 AM

Originally Posted by anto1208

He had to read it like that he couldnt laugh or the press would crucify him he couldnt cry coz the press would crucify him ( crocidile tears or saying he put on a preformance for the camera's). He is in a no win situation no matter what he does he will get slated for it. Imagine now if he is in public and dare smiles that picture will be all over the front pages with "smug child killer laughing it up" headlines.

And his actions after where not cold and calculating they where sloppy and rushed the cold a calculating killers dont get caught they certainly don't give themselves up.

Row

O'Donoghue (23) has insisted the 11-year-old accidentally died when placed in a head-lock after a row about going to a fast food restaurant spiralled out of control.

However, he dumped Robert's body at Inch Strand where it lay undiscovered for nine days and he even took part in the massive search effort for Robert on six different days.

The engineering student did not indicate to search officials where the body was and admitted his involvement in the killing some 24 hours after Robert's funeral.

The Holohans so trusted and liked O'Donoghue that they were going to ask him to say a Prayer of the Faithful at Robert's funeral Mass.

During his trial, it emerged that O'Donoghue had been regarded by little Robert as the older brother he never had.

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...d-1268443.html

Sounds cold and calculating to me

**osarusan** · 18/01/2008, 8:29 AM

Does anybody think he deliberately killed the boy?

If so, then his actions afterwards would definitely be cold and calculated. But I think they also look like panicked actions.

What crime was he convicted of?

**anto1208** · 18/01/2008, 8:40 AM

Originally Posted by Ringo

Row

O'Donoghue (23) has insisted the 11-year-old accidentally died when placed in a head-lock after a row about going to a fast food restaurant spiralled out of control.

However, he dumped Robert's body at Inch Strand where it lay undiscovered for nine days and he even took part in the massive search effort for Robert on six different days.

The engineering student did not indicate to search officials where the body was and admitted his involvement in the killing some 24 hours after Robert's funeral.

The Holohans so trusted and liked O'Donoghue that they were going to ask him to say a Prayer of the Faithful at Robert's funeral Mass.

During his trial, it emerged that O'Donoghue had been regarded by little Robert as the older brother he never had.

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...d-1268443.html

Sounds cold and calculating to me

So what should you get for obstructing justice ? i think 4 years is enough locking him up for life wont bring him back his death wasnt his fault.

When you look at that rugby player that left a night club p*ssed up got into his 4x4 to drive to dublin for a munster match the next day slammed into the back of a parked car killing the poor kid inside. Now that death was totally his fault yet the DPP are nt going to even take him to court !! He wont serve a minute in jail for killing that kid.

**GavinZac** · 18/01/2008, 8:46 AM

Originally Posted by anto1208

When you look at that rugby player that left a night club p*ssed up got into his 4x4 to drive to dublin for a munster match the next day slammed into the back of a parked car killing the poor kid inside. Now that death was totally his fault yet the DPP are nt going to even take him to court !! He wont serve a minute in jail for killing that kid.

link?

**GavinZac** · 18/01/2008, 8:51 AM

Originally Posted by osarusan

If so, then his actions afterwards would definitely be cold and calculated. But I think they also look like panicked actions.

If you deliberately kill someone, (assuming you don't do it in a flash of rage) you'd have a better plan for what to do with the body, than dragging it into a bathroom, stuffing it into a black bag, driving 5 minutes away, then dumping the bag. As the success the IRA had for years shows, if you premeditate a murder, you can hide the body for good. If it had been premeditated, WOD would've put the body somewhere safe and gone with his life, or had a sudden urge to emigrate.

What crime was he convicted of?

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter

**Block G Raptor** · 18/01/2008, 8:51 AM

Originally Posted by osarusan

What crime was he convicted of?

Manslaughter. which is why I think 3 years is a bit of a joke

**GavinZac** · 18/01/2008, 9:56 AM

Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

I'll need to Google this to be sure, but I'm sure I read somewhere recently that the maximum sentence for manslaughter is 10 years

With the judge deciding, out of ten, how "on purpose"/close to murder it is?

**Block G Raptor** · 18/01/2008, 9:59 AM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

With the judge deciding, out of ten, how "on purpose"/close to murder it is?

Possibly. I'm not sure.

**Ringo** · 18/01/2008, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

With the judge deciding, out of ten, how "on purpose"/close to murder it is?

According to Justice Carney this was "on the level of horse play". Hate to see what he would have done to the kid , if it was any more than horseplay.

**pete** · 18/01/2008, 11:19 AM

Sentencing discussion split to new thread here

**KevB76** · 18/01/2008, 6:47 PM

Originally Posted by anto1208

his death wasnt his fault.

Yes it was, albeit unintentional.

Originally Posted by anto1208

Now that death was totally his fault yet the DPP are nt going to even take him to court !! He wont serve a minute in jail for killing that kid.

I hadn't heard that, can you provide a link or let me know where you found the story please.

**micls** · 18/01/2008, 6:55 PM

Originally Posted by KevB76

Yes it was, albeit unintentional.

I hadn't heard that, can you provide a link or let me know where you found the story please.

Its in the sentencing thread that was split. Link is above

**KevB76** · 18/01/2008, 6:56 PM

Originally Posted by micls

Its in the sentencing thread that was split. Link is above

Thanks

**GavinZac** · 19/01/2008, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Ringo

According to Justice Carney this was "on the level of horse play". Hate to see what he would have done to the kid , if it was any more than horseplay.

Ever been punched in the trachea? Ever been knocked out by a choke hold? Both can easily lead to death. People don't realise that you don't have to give someone a savage beating to kill them.