JASMINE FAMILY'S AGONY

14-year prison term for killing mum-of-two so 'hard to stomach'

-  SYLVIA POWNALL

THE family of Jasmine McMonagle who was strangled to death by her ex-have backed calls for tougher sentencing.

Her sister Jenna said the 14-year jail term handed to Richard Burke was hard to accept, adding: "If it was our way he'd never see the light of day again." Donegal Cllr Gary Doherty has written to the Justice Minister and is calling on the DPP to appeal the sentence.

He said: "It won't be long before Jasmine's killer will be back on the street, and that makes us all angry." 

'SENTENCE DID NOT FIT THE CRIME'

Councillor calls for appeal and writes to Justice Minister. Victim's sister fears that Burke will be back on streets.

THE family of Jasmine McMonagle have backed calls for tougher sentencing after her killer was jailed for 14 years.

The 28-year-old mum of two was found in a pool of blood in the kitchen of her Co Donegal home after a three-hour stand-off between her attacker and gardai.

Richard Burke, 32, of Killygordon, Co Donegal, strangled and battered his on-off partner Jasmine during a psychotic episode after taking unprescribed drugs.

He was found guilty of her manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility but the judge said. Burke knew what he was doing was wrong and could have stopped himself.

Now Donegal Cllr Gary Doherty has written an open letter to Justice Minister Simon Harris calling for tougher sentencing and Jasmine's family has urged others to do the same if they agree with him.

Cllr Doherty told the Irish Sunday Mirror: "I have been in contact with Jasmine's family and they support the letter. It's been a difficult week.

ANGRY