Menu
03/07/2012
Former Lover Found Guilty Of Shotgun Murder
A man who claimed he accidentally shot his former lover while intending to kill himself has been found guilty of her murder.
McClenaghan denied murdering mother of four Marion Millican on March 11 last year in the Portstewart launderette where she worked.
She died after McClenaghan blasted her in the chest with a 19th-century double-barreled shotgun, but McClenaghan claimed the shot was a mistake and he actually meant to kill himself.
Yesterday, Antrim Crown Court heard the concluding arguments from prosecution and defence for 49-year-old Fred McClenaghan, from Broad Street, Magherafelt.
Prosecution lawyer Neil Connor said McClenaghan, motivated by anger, jealousy and resentment, had repeatedly told counsellors he dreamed of killing his girlfriend and himself.
He said the accused was "no longer depressed" despite the loss of somebody he claimed to have loved.
Mr Connor said medical and forensic evidence showed the shooting was not an accident.
But defence lawyer John McCrudden said forensic experts had "driven a coach and four" through their own national standards and no notes had been recorded on the testing of the shotgun.
He said this left the "terrible spectre, the real possibility, that this gun did go off during a struggle".
Mr McCrudden said a number of factors had come together, from sexual abuse as a child to McClenaghan's inability to deal with stressful emotions, that together created a "perfect storm".
He said there was an element of "reasonable doubt" of McClenaghan's guilt.
But this afternoon, the jury convicted McClenaghan of the crime.
(NE/GK)
McClenaghan denied murdering mother of four Marion Millican on March 11 last year in the Portstewart launderette where she worked.
She died after McClenaghan blasted her in the chest with a 19th-century double-barreled shotgun, but McClenaghan claimed the shot was a mistake and he actually meant to kill himself.
Yesterday, Antrim Crown Court heard the concluding arguments from prosecution and defence for 49-year-old Fred McClenaghan, from Broad Street, Magherafelt.
Prosecution lawyer Neil Connor said McClenaghan, motivated by anger, jealousy and resentment, had repeatedly told counsellors he dreamed of killing his girlfriend and himself.
He said the accused was "no longer depressed" despite the loss of somebody he claimed to have loved.
Mr Connor said medical and forensic evidence showed the shooting was not an accident.
But defence lawyer John McCrudden said forensic experts had "driven a coach and four" through their own national standards and no notes had been recorded on the testing of the shotgun.
He said this left the "terrible spectre, the real possibility, that this gun did go off during a struggle".
Mr McCrudden said a number of factors had come together, from sexual abuse as a child to McClenaghan's inability to deal with stressful emotions, that together created a "perfect storm".
He said there was an element of "reasonable doubt" of McClenaghan's guilt.
But this afternoon, the jury convicted McClenaghan of the crime.
(NE/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 November 2017
Man To Serve At Least 13 Years For Laundrette Murder
The murderer of Marion Millican, Fred McClenaghan, has been sentenced to a minimum of 13 years in prison. The Magherafelt man, aged 56, pleaded guilty to murdering the mother-of-four. The PSNI described him as a very "callous and dangerous" man.
Man To Serve At Least 13 Years For Laundrette Murder
The murderer of Marion Millican, Fred McClenaghan, has been sentenced to a minimum of 13 years in prison. The Magherafelt man, aged 56, pleaded guilty to murdering the mother-of-four. The PSNI described him as a very "callous and dangerous" man.
06 June 2012
Murder Was Thwarted Suicide Bid, Court Hears
A man killed his former lover in a suicide bid gone wrong, a court heard. Fred McClenaghan, 49, of Broad Street, Magherafelt, is on trial charged with murdering Marion Millican with a shotgun as she ate her lunch in a launderette in Portstewart on March 11 2011.
Murder Was Thwarted Suicide Bid, Court Hears
A man killed his former lover in a suicide bid gone wrong, a court heard. Fred McClenaghan, 49, of Broad Street, Magherafelt, is on trial charged with murdering Marion Millican with a shotgun as she ate her lunch in a launderette in Portstewart on March 11 2011.
10 April 2002
Community raise £20,000 reward for murder appeal
Members of the community rocked by the murder of Josias McClenaghan have offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators of the vicious attack. Police announced that a reward had been set up as they made another appeal for information regarding the murder.
Community raise £20,000 reward for murder appeal
Members of the community rocked by the murder of Josias McClenaghan have offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators of the vicious attack. Police announced that a reward had been set up as they made another appeal for information regarding the murder.
18 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Two Arrested After Dangerous Driving Incident In North Belfast Two men have been arrested following a dangerous driving incident in north Belfast in the early hours of Monday, November 18th. The incident began on the Whitewell Road, where a car was observed driving erratically.
Other News In Brief
Two Arrested After Dangerous Driving Incident In North Belfast Two men have been arrested following a dangerous driving incident in north Belfast in the early hours of Monday, November 18th. The incident began on the Whitewell Road, where a car was observed driving erratically.
15 September 2014
Man To Go On Trial Over Launderette Killing
A man, aged 52, is due to go on trial accused of murdering Marion Millican. Ms Millican, 51, was shot dead in a laundrette in Portstewart where she worked in March 2011. A shotgun was used in the incident. Ms Millican died at the scene. The accused, named as Fred McClenaghan, from Magherafelt, is said to have carried out the killing.
Man To Go On Trial Over Launderette Killing
A man, aged 52, is due to go on trial accused of murdering Marion Millican. Ms Millican, 51, was shot dead in a laundrette in Portstewart where she worked in March 2011. A shotgun was used in the incident. Ms Millican died at the scene. The accused, named as Fred McClenaghan, from Magherafelt, is said to have carried out the killing.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
