BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — A dozen Protestants have been sentenced for their roles in the mob slaying of a Catholic man outside his Northern Ireland home.
The 49-year-old victim, Kevin McDaid, was fatally beaten when Protestants invaded a Catholic neighborhood in the mostly Protestant town of Coleraine in May 2009. A neighbor, also attacked, remains disabled after spending four weeks in a coma.
Under terms of a plea-bargain agreement, charges of murder, attempted murder or manslaughter were dropped as all 12 pleaded guilty to lesser charges including assault and intimidation.
In Tuesday’s sentencing, Justice Ronnie Weatherup imposed prison terms ranging from 8 years to just 6 months on nine men. Three others received probation or suspended sentences.
Defendants’ relatives in the public gallery cheered and applauded the ruling as McDaid’s family walked out.
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