A Co Armagh man was handed a Life Sentence today (Wednesday) after he admitted murdering his neighbour.
Connor Lawrence McNeill appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to two charges arising from the fatal shooting of Stephen Barraskill in October 2021. The 55-year old, from Whitesides Hill in Portadown, confirmed his identity to a court clerk.
His barrister Niall Hunt addressed Judge Patricia Smyth and asked that McNeill be re-arraigned on the two charges he faced.
McNeill was then charged with murdering Stephen Barraskill on October 26, 2021 and when asked how he pleaded, he replied “guilty, Your Honour”.
He was also charged with possessing a shotgun and two cartridges with intent to endanger life on the same date and he again replied “guilty, Your Honour” when the charge was put to him.
Although no details about the murder were aired during today’s hearing, a police officer told a previous court McNeill was accused of entering Mr Barraskill’s home on the evening of October 26, 2021 and shooting the 63-year old twice in the chest with a shotgun.
Crown barrister Neil Connor KC said he had spoken to Mr Barraskill’s family and that several Victim Impact Reports will be compiled ahead of sentencing.
The prosecutor also told Judge Smyth that McNeill had a criminal record and that those details would be forwarded to the court.
Regarding defence submissions, Mr Hunt revealed McNeill is on medication for anxiety and panic attacks and that several reports including a psychiatric report are being sought.
Judge Smyth then addressed McNeill and after telling him to stand up, she said: “The only sentence I can pass is one of Life Imprisonment.
“It now falls to me to fix the tariff, which is the minimum period you just serve in prison before being considered by the Parole Commissioners for release.”
The Belfast Recorder set the date for the plea hearing as September 1st but said she would review the case on June 28. McNeill was then led from the dock in handcuffs by prison staff and taken back into custody ahead of sentencing.
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