The family of a 21-year-old sailor who drowned after he was thrown overboardthe navy flagship, the L.E. Eithnereacted with disbelief todaywhen his killer was jailed for five years.
Sean Lundon (21) of James Connolly Park, Tipperary was jailed for five yearsat the Central Criminal Court for the manslaughter of fellow crewman AbleSeaman Brian Gorey (21) of Devon Close, Castletroy View, Limerick, at SirJohn Rogerson's Quay, Dublin on April 22nd 2001.
The court also heard that two months after Mr Gorey's death, while out onbail Lundon assaulted a man in Tipperary town, causing him serious harm. Hepleaded guilty to charges of assault and assault causing harm and awaitssentencing in Clonmel Circuit Court.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Carney said the killing of Mr Gorey was "oneof the most difficult cases" he has ever dealt with and said it was"frightening" that such gratuitous violence was now set off by drink alone.
"It is frightening that it \[drinking alcohol] is going to lead to thiswithout the involvement of cannabis," he said. He said that Mr Goreyposed no threat to anyone on the night he was savagely beaten and propelledoverboard for "a reason that is not clear and probably never will be".
Speaking outside the courthouse following the sentencing, Mr Gorey'sfather Michael said, "at the end of the day if taking a life is only worthfive years, there's going to be a lot more killings in the country". He saidhe did not accept any apology from Lundon and said "it meant nothing to him".
He also called on the Minister for Defence to explain and investigate whyLundon had not been discharged from the Defence Forces after he wasconvicted of manslaughter. "He should have been thrown out of the DefenceForces, he has been paid more than 40,000 euros of taxpayers money."
During the trial last month Mr Lundon denied murdering his crewmate MrGorey, who could not swim. He admitted to gardai that he hit him with aceramic ashtray and broke a brush handle on his head during a row, butclaimed he took the deceased up on deck for air and that he "slipped away"into the water and drowned.