O'Donoghue Released From Prison

Wayne O'Donoghue has been released from prison after serving three years for the manslaughter of his 11-year-old neighbour Robert Holohan.

The 23-year-old, from Middleton, Co Cork, had been sentenced to four years for Robert's manslaughter, but was released early for good behaviour.

The body of Robert Holohan was found wrapped in black refuse sacks in a ditch at Inch Strand in Co Cork, eight days after he disappeared from his home in Ballyedmond, near Midleton, on January 4, 2005.

O'Donoghue confessed to killing the schoolboy on January 16 2005 and was charged with his murder, but was acquitted during a subsequent trial. He then pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

He had said that he accidentally killed Robert following a row over stones being thrown at his car.

Speaking outside Midlands Prison, O'Donoghue said: "I wish to express my profound apologies and deep regret to Mark and Majella Holohan and to their family for causing to them the loss of their beloved Robert.

"I fully accept responsibility, not only for that loss, but also for the additional grief and distress which I have caused to them owing to my actions following Robert's death.

"I realise and accept that nothing which I may do or say will ever ease their suffering. I feel and carry the burden of guilt for my actions each day.

"I also profoundly regret the hurt and distress which I have caused to the wider community.

"To all whom I have caused such grief and distress I can only repeat my sorrow and ask for forgiveness. To my own family, relations and friends, I also wish to repeat my expression of sorrow for the pain and suffering which I have caused you. I deeply appreciate the support you have given me over the past three years and I will always be greateful for this.

"I also wish to express my gratitude to all of those people in the wider community who have made contact with me directly and indirectly since my imprisonment. I am eternally grateful to you for your kindness, support and understanding.

"I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to the governor and staff of the Midlands Prison for the very fair and reasonable manner in which I have been treated during the term of my imprisonment. I fully accept personal responsibility for all of my actions in this matter. I have always stated that I would as a consequence accept the penalty imposed by the courts for my wrong-doing.

"I have served the penalty which has been imposed upon me by the courts to the best of my ability. I intend this to be my only statement in relation to this matter and I would hope for your understanding in that regard," he said.

O'Donoghue was driven away to an undisclosed location with his father Ray and his solicitor Frank Buttimer after making his statement.

(KMcA)