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27/06/2006
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.
Mrs McAlorum has already gathered around 50,000 signatures on a petition in support of her campaign for justice to ensure that a life sentence for murder, really means life.
16-year-old Megan McAlorum was killed on April 11 2004, after being picked up in a car by 18-year-old Thomas Purcell.
Purcell drove the teenager to an isolated forested area just off the Glenside Road in west Belfast, where he had sex with her and then killed her.
He returned to the scene the following day and pretended to discover her partially-clothed body.
Thomas Purcell, of Windsor Road, Belfast, was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison for the murder.
Later today, the victim's mother Margaret McAlorum will hand over the petition to the Attorney General, calling for him take action towards enforcing that Purcell's jail term be increased to ensure that he spends the rest of his life behind bars.
Earlier today, the father of a murder Belfast man joined in with Mrs McAlorum's call for tougher sentencing.
Francie Venus's son John, 28, was beaten to death in 2004 outside a bar on the York Road in north Belfast.
Last week, the two men responsible were found guilty of manslaughter and both received a sentence of six-years in prison, with two other people who were involved receiving one year for affray.
(EF/GB)
Mrs McAlorum has already gathered around 50,000 signatures on a petition in support of her campaign for justice to ensure that a life sentence for murder, really means life.
16-year-old Megan McAlorum was killed on April 11 2004, after being picked up in a car by 18-year-old Thomas Purcell.
Purcell drove the teenager to an isolated forested area just off the Glenside Road in west Belfast, where he had sex with her and then killed her.
He returned to the scene the following day and pretended to discover her partially-clothed body.
Thomas Purcell, of Windsor Road, Belfast, was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison for the murder.
Later today, the victim's mother Margaret McAlorum will hand over the petition to the Attorney General, calling for him take action towards enforcing that Purcell's jail term be increased to ensure that he spends the rest of his life behind bars.
Earlier today, the father of a murder Belfast man joined in with Mrs McAlorum's call for tougher sentencing.
Francie Venus's son John, 28, was beaten to death in 2004 outside a bar on the York Road in north Belfast.
Last week, the two men responsible were found guilty of manslaughter and both received a sentence of six-years in prison, with two other people who were involved receiving one year for affray.
(EF/GB)
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26 April 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.
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.
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.
13 March 2009
Polish Pizza Gun Victim 'Recovering' After Surgery
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Man Murdered In East Belfast Named
A man murdered in a flat in east Belfast has been named as Mark Ponisi. The body of the 54-year-old was found at a property in the London Road area on Saturday, 20 January. He had a number of injuries to his head and face. A post-mortem examination is to be carried out to determine the cause of death.
Man Murdered In East Belfast Named
A man murdered in a flat in east Belfast has been named as Mark Ponisi. The body of the 54-year-old was found at a property in the London Road area on Saturday, 20 January. He had a number of injuries to his head and face. A post-mortem examination is to be carried out to determine the cause of death.
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.
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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.
