Mother of murdered man 'does not get a minute's peace'

The mother of a young boxing champion who was murdered by a man who drove over him repeatedly has said she does not get a minute's peace, knowing how brutally her son's life was taken.

Logan Jackson, 31, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 20-year-old Kevin Sheehy in Limerick, just over two years ago.

Mr Sheehy's family carried photographs of their son, brother, partner and friend as they paid tribute to the five-time Irish boxing champion.

His mother Tracey Tully told the court they had not known the extent of his injuries until they had to sit through the trial and listen repeatedly to the details of what happened on 1 July 2019.

She said she did not get a day off, or a minute's peace, to breathe, knowing how brutally his life was taken.

Mr Sheehy had been at a house party at Hyde Road in Limerick after celebrating the county's win in the Munster Hurling Final. He and his cousin left in the early hours of the morning.

Jackson, who was also at the party, left at the same time with a friend. He is originally from Coventry in England, but has connections to Limerick.

The court heard there had been some kind of exchange and some exception was taken to something what was said.

Mr Sheehy and his cousin began walking home. Jackson got into a Mitsubishi 4x4, drove it at the young men, knocked Mr Sheehy over and then drove over him twice while he was on the ground.

Jackson had claimed he was provoked, but the jury rejected his defence and found him guilty of murder.

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Ms Tully told the court she was only 20 years old herself when she had Kevin. She said she was stuck in her grief and did not know how to live without him.

Mr Sheehy was due to become a father and never got to meet his daughter, but his mother said she would grow up knowing her father was a hero.

The family said his long-term goal was to open his own boxing club to help the area he grew up in.

Judge Eileen Creedon extended her sympathies to the family for losing their son in such violent and senseless circumstances.

Outside court, Mr Sheehy's family members, dressed in blue, stood silently as their solicitor gave their reaction to the verdict and the sentence.

Sinead Nolan said the family were relieved that the matter had come to a conclusion. She said the family had endured a very difficult two years since the murder, but they had also endured a very difficult two weeks in court listening to the horrendous details of his death.

Ms Nolan said this was worsened by the fact that the accused man maintained his innocence of the murder charge throughout.

She said the Sheehy family had lost a son, brother, partner and father in the most barbaric and horrifying manner. Mr Sheehy was known to all as a gentleman, she said. He was never in trouble and spent his short life immersed in sport.

Ms Nolan said Mr Sheehy had already excelled in his boxing endeavours and had a very successful boxing career ahead of him. However, this was taken from him.

Ms Nolan pointed out that Mr Sheehy was robbed of the opportunity to reach his full potential not only as a boxer, but also as a father. He never had the opportunity to meet his beautiful daughter, Kevaeh, and she would never meet her father.

The family also said they wanted to thank everyone who had helped them, especially the emergency services who came to Mr Sheehy's assistance for their valiant efforts to save him.

Ms Nolan said the sentence would not bring him back but the family felt justice had been served and they could now begin grieving him.