Judge in 'tougher sentences' call

Tougher sentences are needed to stop young men taking part in "wanton violence", Northern Ireland's Lord Chief Justice has said.

Sir Brian Kerr was speaking during a Court of Appeal hearing of a man serving four years for manslaughter.

Ryan Quinn, 24, of Killycanavan Road, Ardboe, had been drinking when he killed a man with one punch in 2003.

Sir Brian upheld the sentence imposed for the killing of Finbar McVey, 21, who died after being hit from behind.

"Substantial sentences are required to deter young men from engaging in this type of wanton violence," he said.

"And to remind them that if the effects of their actions go beyond what they in their drunken condition intended, they must face the consequences of that eventuality."

He said severe sentences were needed to mark "society's outright rejection" of such behaviour and to reflect the "ultimate and terrible tragedy of a young life brought shamefully to an end".

Vertebral artery

Finbar McVey, 21, from Coagh, died after being hit from behind by Quinn.

At his trial last October, Belfast Crown Court heard the blow ruptured Mr McVey's vertebral artery and caused his rapid death.

Quinn was originally charged with murder and pleaded not guilty but later admitted manslaughter, which was accepted by the prosecution.

On Friday, the Court of Appeal found Quinn intended to and did strike Mr McVey with considerable force.

It also found that while Quinn did not intend to cause fatal injury, he knew that the victim was unprepared for the blow and should have expected that he could fall to the ground and sustain serious injuries.