Strabane man should not have been released from custody

A STRABANE man who was released by the PSNI and then committed two murders just days later should not have been released from custody.

Coroner Joe McCrisken made the ruling this week at an Inquest into the deaths of Caron Smyth and Finbar McGrillen in December 2013.

He ruled that the action or lack of action by the PSNI had led to the deaths of the two friends, who were beaten to death at a property in Belfast by Shaun Hegarty, the former partner of Ms Smyth and another man.

Hegarty (pictured) had previously been arrested for assaulting Ms Smyth, but was then released in the days before the murders. His criminal record stretched to more than 70 convictions, and several allegations of abuse of previous partners.

In 2017, a report by the Police Ombudsman detailed failures by police in their handling of Shaun Hegarty. It listed a catalogue of flaws, and stated that the PSNI had failed to properly protect Hegarty’s victims or to properly assess the risk he posed.

It was following the publication of the report that family members of his victims sought an Inquest.

This week, Coroner Joe McCrisken, ruled that police did not cause but did contribute to the deaths.

“The question as to whether this decision to release Hegarty on bail caused or contributed to the deaths is more difficult,” Mr McCrisken said.

“I would like to think that a court, fully informed about Shaun Hegarty’s background and risk, would have remanded him into custody on the basis of a risk of re-offending.

“But, somewhat regrettably, I cannot be sure about this.

“I am satisfied that no-one could have predicted with any degree of certainty that Shaun Hegarty would go to a place where Ms Smyth was residing and commit a brutal and horrific double murder.

“By releasing Hegarty on bail, I consider that the actions of police, while not causing the deaths, contributed in more than a minimal way to the deaths of Ms Smyth and Mr McGrillen.”

The Coroner added that there were significant systemic issues in police actions and processes which contributed to a situation in which Hegarty was allowed to walk the streets when he should have been brought to court.

The PSNI said it acknowledged the comments of the coroner, and would await a written decision.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time,” it added.