FAMILY PLEADS FOR REFORM OF LAW OVER ONE-PUNCH KILLINGS

THE family of a man who died in a one-punch attack has launched a petition to demand that the State tries to have his killer's sentence increased.

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE Crime Reporter of the Year

Thug Christopher O'Neill was last week jailed for six years for killing innocent Martin Lynn, but with standard remission that means he will walk free in just four years and six months - and the victim's family says that is simply not enough.

"I think the justice system needs to demonstrate that violent crime will be met with consequences that reflect the harm caused, particularly to innocent people," Martin's sister Sharon said.

She added: "I feel that there is a need for sentencing reform."

Ms Lynn and her partner Anthony Leslie spoke to us days after they watched in shock as O'Neill was given the sentence they believe was too lenient by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday.

Judge Nolan said the headline sentence for the killing of Mr Lynn, 33, outside his Dublin home in July 2023 was eight and a half years. But he reduced O'Neill's term to six years.

The judge said he accepted O'Neill's expressions of remorse as sincere. He said the other mitigating factor was the guilty plea, which was still of value, even though it came shortly before he was due to stand trial last month for Mr Lynn's manslaughter.

He also noted that O'Neill has been doing well in custody, has a history of work and has family responsibilities.

But O'Neill, 31, of Larkhill Road in Whitehall, Santry is entitled to standard remission of 25% - which means he is likely to walk free from prison in four years and six months.

Ms Lynn and her family have now set up the petition, calling for the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the judge's sentence - something it can do. It can go to the Court of Criminal Appeal if it believes the sentence is unduly lenient, and that's what the family wants done.