Three Men Sentenced Over Victor Hamilton Murder

Three men have been sentenced today, Wednesday 2nd April, in connection with the murder of 63-year-old Victor Hamilton in Ballymena in 2022.

Mamadu Djalo, aged 32, appeared before Belfast Crown Court and was sentenced to six years for manslaughter, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.

Mario Menezes, aged 35, and Michael Hanrahan, aged 43, were each sentenced for withholding information related to the murder. They will each serve two years, with half in custody and half on licence.

Victor Hamilton was found dead in the driveway of his home in Ballymena on the morning of 27th July 2022. A post-mortem examination revealed that his death was caused by a stab wound to his back. Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness, who led the investigation, stated that the three defendants, along with a fourth man, had travelled from Portadown to Ballymena on the evening of 26th July 2022. They went to a property in the Orkney Drive area of the town, where the fatal attack took place.

"Victor Hamilton, who lived in the adjacent flat, was a peaceable and well-loved man. Essentially, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Detective Chief Inspector McGuinness. "It's hard to find the right words to convey not only the horror, but also the senselessness, of this vicious stabbing."

DCI McGuinness highlighted the impact of the murder on the local community: "Mr Hamilton had moved to the town just a few weeks earlier, and his murder has left an entire community in shock. Today, my thoughts are with Victor's many friends and, importantly, with his loving family who have been robbed of a father and a brother. It's almost three years on now, and understandably their pain and sadness continue."

The three defendants were arrested for their involvement in the murder and have now been held accountable. However, a fourth suspect fled the jurisdiction following the attack, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland's investigation remains ongoing.