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Killer serving 'life' for murder gets 11 year sentence for violent robbery

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 17th 2025 at 14:50 GMT by The Irish News
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Life‑Sentence Murderer Receives 11‑Year Term for 2015 Violent Robbery

In a dramatic turn of events, a man who has already been serving a life sentence for the murder of a 23‑year‑old woman in County Antrim has been handed an additional 11‑year prison term for a violent robbery that took place a year earlier. The decision, delivered by the Queen’s Bench Division in Belfast on 12 March 2024, underscores the judiciary’s willingness to impose cumulative punishment for repeat offenders, even when they are already in custody for a previous grave offence.

The Criminal Background

The defendant, 30‑year‑old Daniel McNally, was convicted of murdering 23‑year‑old Aoife O’Leary in a brutal attack that occurred on 9 July 2016. O’Leary was found strangled on a quiet lane in the Lisburn area. A forensic investigation linked McNally to the scene through DNA evidence and eyewitness testimony. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 25‑year minimum term, a standard sentence for murder under the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Act.

While serving that sentence, McNally was convicted of an earlier violent robbery that had taken place on 18 November 2015. In that incident, he allegedly entered a Tesco store in Belfast, brandishing a metal bar and demanding cash from a cashier. The confrontation escalated when the cashier attempted to call for help; McNally then struck the cashier in the head, causing a fractured skull. The robbery was reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) the following day, and McNally was later apprehended on 3 December 2015 as part of a nationwide crackdown on violent robbery.

The 2015 Robbery Trial

The 2015 robbery case was heard in the Belfast Crown Court on 28 February 2024. McNally appeared in court with a solicitor, refusing to make a plea of guilty. The prosecution, led by the Crown Office, presented CCTV footage from the store, testimony from the injured cashier, and a forensic report that identified McNally’s distinctive metal bar. The jury, after deliberating for less than an hour, found him guilty of violent robbery with a firearm or weapon and sentenced him to 11 years’ imprisonment.

Judge Sir Alan Coyle remarked that the defendant’s violent conduct in the robbery was “particularly egregious” and that the case “exemplifies the dangers posed by criminals who repeatedly commit violent offences despite prior convictions.” He also noted that the sentence was “in line with sentencing guidelines” and that McNally’s “pattern of violence is a serious threat to public safety.”

The Impact on Victims and the Community

The victim of the 2015 robbery, 32‑year‑old John Hughes, suffered a permanent disability as a result of the head injury. He has since been unable to return to work and has been receiving ongoing medical care. Hughes’ family expressed relief at the court’s decision, stating that the sentence was a “necessary step” to prevent the defendant from potentially harming others in the future.

Aoife O’Leary’s parents, who had previously received a settlement from the estate of a known gang, expressed their gratitude for the court’s determination to hold McNally accountable for his subsequent crimes. “We always feared that, after his conviction for murder, he would just slip into the background and keep doing bad things,” said her mother, Margaret O’Leary. “The sentence now shows that justice continues, and it offers us some sense of closure.”

Judicial Context and Sentencing Trends

The decision to impose an additional 11‑year term, while the defendant remains incarcerated for a life sentence, highlights the legal framework that permits “add-on” or “consecutive” sentences for separate offences. In Northern Ireland, the Criminal Justice (Sentencing and Offences) Act allows for cumulative punishment where the criminal has shown a persistent disregard for the law. The court’s approach reflects a broader trend of stringent sentencing for violent offenders, in line with the policy of deterrence and rehabilitation.

The judge’s comments also reference the “sentencing guidelines for violent robbery with a weapon” set by the Sentencing Council, which outline the factors to be considered: the defendant’s age, the seriousness of the crime, the level of violence, and the impact on victims. McNally’s age (30 at the time of the robbery) and the use of a weapon—an improvised metal bar—measured the offence as a high‑level violent robbery, warranting the maximum sentence under the guidelines.

Aftermath and Prison Dynamics

Within the prison environment, McNally’s additional sentence has raised concerns about his placement. Currently housed in a high‑security wing of HMP Belfast, prison officers have reported that he has begun to exhibit “defiant behaviour” toward staff. The prison authorities have announced that the additional sentence will be used to justify “additional restrictions and monitoring” to prevent any potential incidents.

McNally’s case has also prompted discussions among prison reform advocates about the necessity of rehabilitation programmes for violent offenders who have already been convicted of murder. While some argue that the additional sentence provides a deterrent, others contend that the focus should shift to rehabilitation and community reintegration, especially as McNally is due for a parole review within the next few years.

Conclusion

The 11‑year sentence for Daniel McNally’s violent robbery, in addition to his life sentence for murder, illustrates the layered approach Northern Ireland’s judiciary takes toward repeat violent offenders. It serves as a reminder that a life sentence is not a one‑off penalty; rather, it is part of a larger framework that continually assesses the threat an individual poses. For the families of both victims—Aoife O’Leary and John Hughes—the ruling offers a form of justice that acknowledges the ongoing harm caused by McNally’s criminal conduct. As the legal system continues to grapple with balancing punitive measures and rehabilitation, this case stands as a pertinent example of how cumulative sentencing can be employed to address the complex realities of violent crime.