Man jailed for ‘brutal and violent’ killing of Good Samaritan

Handing down the indeterminate tariff for “retribution and deterrence”, judge Mr Justice Colton told Joseph Dolan from Cavan that he was imposing the sentence as he believed he posed a danger to the public in the future for the “brutal, violent and unjustifiable killing” of Pauline Kilkenny.

The senior judge said that when Dolan eventually became eligible for parole, the Parole Commissioners should consider all medical and psychiatric reports before he is released.

“Given the contents of the medical evidence I have received any consideration of your release will require the most intense scrutiny,” said Mr Justice Colton.

Dungannon Crown Court, was previously told that the body of “vulnerable’’ Ms Kilkenny lay undiscovered for almost a week.

Dolan (29), formerly of Cavan Town, had originally been charged with the murder of Ms Kilkenny whose body was found in November 2018 at her bungalow in Belcoo, Co Fermanagh.

But Dolan later pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 59-year-old by way of diminished responsibilty.

Mr Justice Colton said that Ms Kilkenny had been “subjected to a blunt force assault, leading to scalp lacerations and a skull fracture. She was stabbed 28 times which resulted in significant injuries to her neck which had caused copious haemorrhage at the scene”.

The judge referred to numerous victim impact statements he had read from friends and members of Ms Kilkenny’s “devastated” family.

“Those detailed and carefully crafted statements eloquently convey the devastation that Pauline’s death has caused,” said Mr Justice Colton. “What emerges from the statement is a family member who was greatly loved and who had a special place in the hearts and minds of her many relatives.

“She made a positive impact on all of those who have taken the trouble to prepare their victim impact statements. It was clear she was a kind person.

“Indeed, it was this very kindness that led to your involvement with Ms Kilkenny. She took you in at a time when you were desolate and homeless. She looked after you, provided a home for you and provided much needed stability in your life.

“It is one of the greatest tragedies of her death that it was her kindness and desire to help people that brought her into contact with you.”

One niece wrote that Ms Kilkenny was “the epitome of light...she would brighten up faces, rooms and lives. Nothing will take away the pain of this loss. I tell my stories to the sky now when I visit her grave.”

Determining that Dolan posed a significant risk of serious harm in the future, Mr Justice Colton referred to a joint statement from two consultant psychiatrists who stated that unless Dolan’s personality disorder was “treated or effectively managed, he will remain dangerous”.

The judge said that Dolan had not “demonstrated any real remorse”.

He added: “A chilling feature of this case is your apparent emotional indifference to the plight of your victim or her family during the course of police, probation and medical interviews.”