Man beaten to death in 2011.

Charlie19

I know its an old case but I just heard on RTE's Primetime, A mother and fathers story on how they lost their son to a horrific assault. A horrible unprovoked attack, the attacker should be locked up for life.

They mentioned that the story didn't get much media coverage so thats why I'm posting it.

Here's an article on the incident.
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/crime/parents-gavin-oconnor-whose-head-3376097

Lisha

I saw it. What a horrific senseless attack.
Really upsetting to hear.
Seems strange alright that it went largely unreported by press.

sinjin_smythe

Charlie19 wrote: »

I know its an old case but I just heard on RTE's Primetime, A mother and fathers story on how they lost their son to a horrific assault. A horrible unprovoked attack, the attacker should be locked up for life.

They mentioned that the story didn't get much media coverage so thats why I'm posting it.

Here's an article on the incident.
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/crime/parents-gavin-oconnor-whose-head-3376097

This story tonight really got to me. Really traumatizing stuff, my heart went out to the parents.

Piriz

yes, i read about this a little while ago...seriously horrible incident and devastating for the family...

at least they convicted the guy and he's off the streets... pure scum...

vicwatson

That lady was on liveline recently.

at least they convicted the guy and he's off the streets... pure scum...

A fúcking disgrace - "McClelland had clocked up 20 convictions by the time he was 19 and it was warned it only a matter of time before he would kill"

vicwatson

The poor parents - lost another son soon after also.

Dark sun

Let's hope this scumbag gets a taste of his own medicine, If he ever gets out. This stuff really boils my blood.

myshirt

What was there to achieve by broadcasting the vicious and raw detail of the murder?
It was incredibly intense. It was upsetting.

I don't know, maybe I wish I hadn't seen it.

What an evil, evil b@stard of a young man, and I've mingled with some depraved people in my time. What an evil individual.

Charlie19

What sort of upbringing or time in their life makes these people turn into such vicious animals.

The video of the grieving parents should be shown to young teenagers in schools across the country.

Guy:Incognito

Is there a more detailed description of the lead up? The story in the op describes the victim leaving a nightclub then next thing the other guy is caving his head in. Was he just wandering by, saw him and smashed the windows to kill him or what? I assume there wasn't a row or anything or else it'd have been mentioned ?


Presumably the other guy was picked up fairly quickly if his defence team was asking for a 2nd autopsy by the following day.

Strange I don't remember hearing anything about this at all.

Kristopherus

Heard the parents on Joe Duffy, but I did'nt know who or what was involved until I saw this thread. Makes you wonder what kind of an animal would do such a horrible think. I hope the ba***rd rots where he is now.:mad:

Lisha

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Is there a more detailed description of the lead up? The story in the op describes the victim leaving a nightclub then next thing the other guy is caving his head in. Was he just wandering by, saw him and smashed the windows to kill him or what? I assume there wasn't a row or anything or else it'd have been mentioned ?

What I read in the interview was that the victim was asleep in his car. The murderer saw him and stole the keys to get himself a drive home. He rang a friend and said if he wakes up I'll have to kill him. He then stopped car again and knocked him out with a rock. He then battered him with at least 3 different rocks. Then he rolled over him so it would look like a hit and run

Hitchens

this is a prime example of why the jury should have the option of the death penalty

Gatling

Whole life sentences should be imposed not these ridiculous murder and and back on the the streets in 7+ years sentences we put up with

DK man

I know mr mcclellend - more or less expelled from school for litany of silly annoying things. Tried to bully a few lads in school and on one occasion a quiet lad pasted him and lifted him and flung him over a hedge outside the school.

This poor guy Gavin would have been well fit to defend himself as mcclellend was more stupid than hard. When I heard it first I was sure that he must have had help as he would not have been particularly big or strong but the poor guy was asleep when he took a blow to the head from a rock.

Very sad to see the poor parents on tv tonight - a waste of a young vibrant talented young life and for what?

Rip Gavin

Mint Aero

Enough is enough. 5 convictions max and throw away the key or give them the death penalty. We're a way too "civilised/dumb" for dealing with skum****s.

jescart

I know it's for another thread, but there has to come a point when everyone in this country wakes up to the real cause of repeat offenders roaming our streets threatening good honest citizens of Ireland. I have a theory it's related to the cash cow to lawyers that is the free legal aid system, and a strong catholic ethos still existing at the top levels of our judiciary - who are afraid to confront evil, and favor rehabilitation over punishment.

How many more innocent victims need to get bludgeoned to death before this issue is tackled.

greedygoblin

I saw this as well tonight. It must be devastating for the family to lose not just one but two sons in such a short space of time.

Why was the news coverage of it so sparse? I heard the Anglo case was on roughly at the same time but surely a ferocious attack such as this should have been publicised more?

amkin25

This country is gone to the dogs .As sure as i'm alive this guy will be out in 10 or 15 years roaming about.
As soon as i have enough cash im outta here i don't want my kids run into guys like this in a few years.

EyeSight

jescart wrote: »

I know it's for another thread, but there has to come a point when everyone in this country wakes up to the real cause of repeat offenders roaming our streets threatening good honest citizens of Ireland. I have a theory it's related to the cash cow to lawyers that is the free legal aid system, and a strong catholic ethos still existing at the top levels of our judiciary - who are afraid to confront evil, and favor rehabilitation over punishment.

How many more innocent victims need to get bludgeoned to death before this issue is tackled.

It will take either a politicians son/daughter or someone famous for anything to change, sadly enough.
We need longer tougher sentences. Even favouring tougher(or any) community service rather than regular suspended sentence would be better.
There's nothing for these scumbags to fear!
rehabilitation only works for some people(in those cases i'm for it).
I also hate the argument of how much each prisoner costs the tax payer. These figures are a bit bloated sometimes. Even so, i'm happy that my taxes pay to keep a rapist/murderer off the streets longer than 8 years

massdebater

I was talking to Gavin in the nightclub the night this happened. The whole region was shocked but I don't think it gained huge national interest at the time. Lisha, your story about what happened is correct (according to the reports at the time anyway). Horrible for the family, who also lost another son shortly afterwards. How anyone can be walking the streets with that many previous convictions is an utter joke.

Is there any way I can watch the Primetime interviews from overseas (don't think I can access rte player)?
EDIT: Just checked and I can access rte player, just the episode isn't up yet

Mr.McLovin

shocking story, first I heard of it in this thread tbh

I watched the reply of prime time on rte player, I really feel for his family...

rip gavin