Menu
14/02/2003
Mother sentenced to two years for killing teenager
A mother of six who knocked down and killed a teenager in north Belfast last year has been sentenced to two years imprisonment.
Alison McKeown, from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, was found guilty at Belfast Crown Court on January 10 of killing 16-year-old Thomas McDonald on the Whitewell Road last September.
McKeown, a 33-year-old mother of six, ran the boy down after he threw a brick at her car. He later died from serious head injuries.
In addition to the custodial sentence, McKeown will serve two years probation following her release.
McKeown had admitted death by dangerous driving but denied murder. At her trial, McKeown's lawyers argued that she had acted in the heat of the moment and had not intended to seriously injure the boy. In his summing up, Lord Justice McCollum accepted that the intention was not to kill but that McKeown had deliberately run the boy down.
The incident occurred at the height of sectarian tensions surrounding the Holy Cross protests.
(GMcG)
Alison McKeown, from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, was found guilty at Belfast Crown Court on January 10 of killing 16-year-old Thomas McDonald on the Whitewell Road last September.
McKeown, a 33-year-old mother of six, ran the boy down after he threw a brick at her car. He later died from serious head injuries.
In addition to the custodial sentence, McKeown will serve two years probation following her release.
McKeown had admitted death by dangerous driving but denied murder. At her trial, McKeown's lawyers argued that she had acted in the heat of the moment and had not intended to seriously injure the boy. In his summing up, Lord Justice McCollum accepted that the intention was not to kill but that McKeown had deliberately run the boy down.
The incident occurred at the height of sectarian tensions surrounding the Holy Cross protests.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 January 2003
Woman found guilty of killing teenager
The woman who knocked down and killed a teenage boy on a bicycle in north Belfast last year has been convicted of manslaughter. Allison McKeown was found guilty at Belfast Crown Court today of killing 16-year-old Thomas McDonald on the Whitewell Road last September.
Woman found guilty of killing teenager
The woman who knocked down and killed a teenage boy on a bicycle in north Belfast last year has been convicted of manslaughter. Allison McKeown was found guilty at Belfast Crown Court today of killing 16-year-old Thomas McDonald on the Whitewell Road last September.
09 July 2002
NI religious attitudes hardening
There is an increasing hardening of attitudes by both Protestants and Catholics towards living, working and learning together according to new research. The research conducted by the University of Ulster reveals that Protestants’ and Catholics’ perceptions of each other are becoming increasingly negative.
NI religious attitudes hardening
There is an increasing hardening of attitudes by both Protestants and Catholics towards living, working and learning together according to new research. The research conducted by the University of Ulster reveals that Protestants’ and Catholics’ perceptions of each other are becoming increasingly negative.
30 June 2023
Mother Jailed For 20 Years For Murder Of Baby Boy
A woman has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years for the murder of her eight-week-old baby boy and attempted murder of her daughter. The defendant, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of family members, was sentenced today, Friday 30 June, at Belfast Crown Court for event that occurred in north Belfast on Tuesday, 27 July, 2021.
Mother Jailed For 20 Years For Murder Of Baby Boy
A woman has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years for the murder of her eight-week-old baby boy and attempted murder of her daughter. The defendant, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of family members, was sentenced today, Friday 30 June, at Belfast Crown Court for event that occurred in north Belfast on Tuesday, 27 July, 2021.
16 March 2011
Booze Ruling Halts Asda's Store Plans
One of the world's largest supermarket groups has abandoned plans to open a second store in the north Belfast area - because it has been refused permission to sell alcohol. Asda has pulled out of plans for a branch at the old Hillview Retail Park on the Crumlin Road because "none of their branches operated without a beer, wine and spirits licence".
Booze Ruling Halts Asda's Store Plans
One of the world's largest supermarket groups has abandoned plans to open a second store in the north Belfast area - because it has been refused permission to sell alcohol. Asda has pulled out of plans for a branch at the old Hillview Retail Park on the Crumlin Road because "none of their branches operated without a beer, wine and spirits licence".
09 April 2003
Man jailed for McGoldrick murder
Former loyalist informer, Clifford McKeown is to serve 24 years in jail after being convicted of the murder of a Catholic taxi driver in July 1996.
Man jailed for McGoldrick murder
Former loyalist informer, Clifford McKeown is to serve 24 years in jail after being convicted of the murder of a Catholic taxi driver in July 1996.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
