Family’s disgust over sentence for one-punch killer - victim was struck during day out at NI beach

Darren O’Neill died in hospital on June 29, 2019 - two days after he was punched by Joseph Dorrian in a car park at the Co Down beach.

Dorrian (23), from Lakeview in Crumlin, was handed a three-year sentence for the manslaugter of Mr O’Neill at Downpatrick Crown Court.

Judge Geoffrey Miller QC told Dorrian he will serve 18 months of the sentence in jail, followed by the same period on licence when he is released.

As Dorrian was being led from the dock, there was a confrontation in the public gallery between his family and relatives of Mr O’Neill, who wore t-shirts bearing his image.

Police officers had to intervene, and whilst the O’Neill family declined to make a statement to the media, one member said they were “disgusted” at the three-year sentence and rubbished claims Dorrian and Mr O’Neill were “best friends”.

Dorrian admitted causing Mr O’Neill’s death but denied a charge of manslaughter. Instead, he claimed that after being struck first by Mr O’Neill, he reacted with a slap or push in an act of self-defence.

He stood trial earlier this year, and after a seven-day hearing the jury rejected Dorrian’s version of events and returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

Judge Miller, who presided over the trial, sentenced Dorrian yesterday and said that no jail term imposed could make up for the loss of a life.

On June 27, 2019, Dorrian and Mr O’Neill, who were both from Turf Lodge in Belfast, travelled to the beach in Newcastle with two female friends.

The group were described by witnesses as being in high spirits and enjoying the “hottest day of the year”, and at one point both Mr O’Neill and Dorrian went swimming in the sea.

The pair clashed after Mr O’Neill - who was under the influence of alcohol and Pregabalin - got behind the wheel of the jeep in the car park, where he drove recklessly.

During the trial, several witnesses told the jury how they saw Dorrian approach the jeep when it came to a standstill and angrily confront Mr O’Neill.

Despite his claim that he pushed his arm out in self-defence after being struck first by Mr O’Neill, Dorrian lashed out and landed a killer blow.

A pathologist said the force of the blow to Mr O’Neill’s jaw caused a tear in an internal artery that carries blood to the brain, which led to a bleed on the brain and a cardiac arrest.

Judge Miller said whilst he accepted Dorrian did not follow this with a “further assault”, the degree of force in the fatal blow was “not insignificant.”

The Judge said Dorrian “did not act in self-defence and added “a young life has been been lost as a result of Joseph Dorrian’s actions.”

Judge Miller said that after reading statements from the O’Neill family, it was clear his death has had a devastating effect and has left “profound grief” amongst his loved ones, particularly his mother.

The oldest of five siblings, Mr O’Neill was described by his sister Nikita as ‘a great big brother’ and a ‘bubbly, easy-going joker’ who loved to fix things.

Judge Miller said: “The love and closeness felt towards Darren by the whole family is palpable from the documents placed before me, and with that comes the pain of his loss.

“Nothing that this court can do or say can reduce that level of hurt and pain and I wish to put on record my heartfelt sympathy to the entire family.”

Turning to Dorrian, Judge Miller revealed he had mental health issues stemming from several events in his past - including his parents sustaining ‘life-changing’ injuries when they were shot in a paramilitary attack when he was 19.

The Judge also revealed Dorrian has become reclusive since Mr O’Neill’s death, with his brother stating ‘he is not the happy young man he used to be.’

A report viewed by the Judge indicated Dorrian has been “deeply affected” by Mr O’Neill’s death, that he “feels guilty” at what happened and feels he “is not deserving of any enjoyment in life.”

Judge Miller said: “There can be no doubt that the last thing any of the four young people who travelled down to the coast that afternoon either expected or intended was that it would end so tragically.”

Pointing out Dorrian chose to contest the charge and was convicted by a jury, Judge Miller said the appropriate sentence was one of three years.