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26/04/2006
Mother believes murderer should receive 'life sentence'
The mother of murdered west Belfast teenager Megan McAlorum has said that her daughter's murderer should be jailed for life.
Thomas Purcell, 19, from Windsor Road, Belfast, had continually denied murdering the 16-year-old from Dunmurry, however in a dramatic twist he admitted to the crime moments before the murder trial was due to begin at Craigavon Crown Court last Monday.
Megan's mother, Margaret McAlorum, said that the family had been given a life sentence and felt that Purcell should get one too.
Mrs McAlorum also believes that Purcell will offend again if released from prison.
She said:"I would never like to see another family go through what we are going through here. I know in my heart that if he gets out he will do the same thing again."
Megan was a former pupil of St Genevieve's High School and had spent Easter Sunday 2004 with friends in the Hunting Lodge bar in west Belfast.
Police believed that Megan left the bar at around midnight and made her way towards her home in Glencolm Way near Lenadoon.
Her body was discovered the next day and it was reported that she had suffered serious head injuries.
Megan's body was found on a desolate stretch of land in a forested area near the Glenside Road area of Dunmurry on 12 April 2004.
Thomas Purcell was arrested a few days later.
He is due to appear before Craigavon Crown Court on May 26, to allow for the preparation of pre-sentence and psychiatric reports.
(EF/GB)
Thomas Purcell, 19, from Windsor Road, Belfast, had continually denied murdering the 16-year-old from Dunmurry, however in a dramatic twist he admitted to the crime moments before the murder trial was due to begin at Craigavon Crown Court last Monday.
Megan's mother, Margaret McAlorum, said that the family had been given a life sentence and felt that Purcell should get one too.
Mrs McAlorum also believes that Purcell will offend again if released from prison.
She said:"I would never like to see another family go through what we are going through here. I know in my heart that if he gets out he will do the same thing again."
Megan was a former pupil of St Genevieve's High School and had spent Easter Sunday 2004 with friends in the Hunting Lodge bar in west Belfast.
Police believed that Megan left the bar at around midnight and made her way towards her home in Glencolm Way near Lenadoon.
Her body was discovered the next day and it was reported that she had suffered serious head injuries.
Megan's body was found on a desolate stretch of land in a forested area near the Glenside Road area of Dunmurry on 12 April 2004.
Thomas Purcell was arrested a few days later.
He is due to appear before Craigavon Crown Court on May 26, to allow for the preparation of pre-sentence and psychiatric reports.
(EF/GB)
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27 June 2006
Victim's mother calls for tougher sentences
The mother of murdered west Belfast schoolgirl Megan McAlorum is to meet with the British Attorney General Lord Goldsmith in London today as part of her campaign to make sure that her daughter's murderer serves life behind bars.
Victim's mother calls for tougher sentences
The mother of murdered west Belfast schoolgirl Megan McAlorum is to meet with the British Attorney General Lord Goldsmith in London today as part of her campaign to make sure that her daughter's murderer serves life behind bars.
24 April 2006
Man admits to Megan McAlorum murder
A man accused of murdering a Belfast teenager two years ago has admitted to the crime moments before the murder trial was due to begin. Thomas Purcell, 19, from Windsor Road, Belfast had continually denied murdering 16-year-old Megan McAlorum from Dunmurry.
Man admits to Megan McAlorum murder
A man accused of murdering a Belfast teenager two years ago has admitted to the crime moments before the murder trial was due to begin. Thomas Purcell, 19, from Windsor Road, Belfast had continually denied murdering 16-year-old Megan McAlorum from Dunmurry.
31 May 2006
Teenager given 15-years for schoolgirl's murder
The teenager who admitted murdering a west Belfast schoolgirl, has been told that he must serve a minimum of 15-years in prison.
Teenager given 15-years for schoolgirl's murder
The teenager who admitted murdering a west Belfast schoolgirl, has been told that he must serve a minimum of 15-years in prison.
27 April 2004
Man refused bail in McAlorum murder case
A 24-year-old man accused of withholding information into the murder of west Belfast teenager, Megan McAlorum has been refused bail. Charles Joseph Dundon, of no fixed address, had his bail application turned down at the High Court in Belfast on Tuesday. Dundon appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court last week in connection with her murder.
Man refused bail in McAlorum murder case
A 24-year-old man accused of withholding information into the murder of west Belfast teenager, Megan McAlorum has been refused bail. Charles Joseph Dundon, of no fixed address, had his bail application turned down at the High Court in Belfast on Tuesday. Dundon appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court last week in connection with her murder.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
