Pair jailed over 'cruel' killing

Laurence Flanagan was a former museum curator

Two men have been jailed for their part in the death of a retired Belfast museum curator.

Laurence Flanagan, 64, died after being attacked in his south Belfast home in April 2001.

David Albert Taggart, 24, from Riga Street in Belfast confessed to murder and Michael Anthony McDonnell, 24, from Delhi Street in the city admitted manslaughter.

On Monday, at Belfast Crown Court Taggart was told he must serve at least 12 years of his life sentence before he is considered for release.

McDonnell was jailed for six years on condition that he serve a further two years on probation after his release.

The court was told that both men were of limited intellectual ability and they attacked the victim for "financial gain".

After sentencing, the officer in charge of the murder investigation team said he believed the courts "have stood up and realised" they need to protect the vulnerable.

Laurence Flanagan was found dead at his south Belfast home

Detective Superintendent Alan Maines said the sentences showed "the people of Northern Ireland are not prepared to put up with these crimes".

He said the "police are there to do everything in their power" to bring offenders before the courts.

Earlier, Mr Justice Weatherup described the killing as a "cruel and appalling end to the life of a gifted man".

'Vegetative state'

The pair's trial last February was dramatically halted after Taggart admitted murder while McDonnell pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

During last year's two-week hearing, the jury heard that the pair had broken into Mr Flanagan's home off the Ormeau Road looking for money to buy alcohol.

The court heard that Mr Flanagan had been beaten and died from massive bleeding onto his brain.

Even if had he been found earlier, Mr Flanagan's chances of survival would have been slim, and he would have been in a "vegetative state" for the rest of his days, the court heard.

Mr Flanagan, a widower with three daughters, had been on the staff at the Ulster Museum for about 40 years.

He had written several books on local history.