A STRABANE man has been jailed for six years for beating a work colleague to death during a 'frenzied and savage' attack.
40 year old Paul Andrew McGinley, with an address in Derry but originally from Strabane, will also have to serve a further two years on probation for the 2004 killing of Robert McNamee, who worked with him in a Derry restaurant.
DEFENCELESS
Mr Justice Treacy said although there was no suggestion that a weapon was used, McGinley had continued his attack while his victim was "on the ground and defenceless".
McGinley, and another colleague Mark O Donnell, were both originally charged with murder but after a week of evidence at their trial last May, each was cleared of the murder.
At that time McGinley pleaded guilty to manslaughter and O Donnell to withholding information.
During the trial the Court heard that the three had all worked in the Gallery Bar in Derry and had spent the afternoon drinking together in a bar next door.
Jim Lavery, QC, told the Court that during the course of the day there was 'some wise cracks, good humour, jokes and banter between them.
ALLEYWAY
He said there were also arguments and although they would make up "the bickering resurrected", and Mr McNamee and the two accused had gone into an outside alley.
It was in this alleyway that McGinley launched a "sustained, savage and frenzied attack", leaving Mr McNamee with a broken nose, cheek bone and eye socket.
Mr Justice Treacy told the Court that in the aftermath of the attack when Mr McNamee's wife was present, she asked McGinley "are you happy now" and was told by the accused that her husband "deserved it".
It was also revealed in Court by the Judge that McGinley had attacked his mother's partner in 1997, breaking his nose in a drunken attack, which indicated his willingness to resort to violence.
Mr Justice Treacy told McGinley that had he not been willing to consent to a probation order, he would have jailed him for eight years.
O' Donnell received a one year suspended jail sentence for with-holding information.
