John McDonagh,Convicted in the Central Criminal Court
A County Galway man has been found guilty of the murder and rape of a schoolgirl. John McDonagh, aged 27, of Carraroe, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in the Central Criminal Court shortly after 11am today. The verdict came after nearly two days of deliberation. He was convicted of the murder and rape of 17-year-old schoolgirl Siobhan Hynes on a Connemara beach in December, 1998.
Mr Justice Patrick Smith imposed the mandatory life sentence after emotional scenes in court. He adjourned sentencing on the charge of rape. Siobhan Hynes was from Lettermore, near Carraroe, in Connemara. There were emotional scenes involving the families of the victim and the accused in court as the verdicts were announced. The accused thumped the bench in front of him and shouted: "Jesus I did not do it."
