Gary Anthony Magee was sentenced for manslaughter and committing arson recklessly to endanger life having unlawfully killed Andrew James Thompson.
The 44-year-old was sentenced at Newry Crown Court to serve seven years in prison, half to be served in custody and half on license, following his guilty plea last October.
Mr Thompson, who was aged 62, died in a fire that was deliberately started in his home in Cloughoge, in the outskirts of Newry, in May 2021.
The 44-year-old was sentenced at Newry Crown Court to serve seven years in prison, half to be served in custody and half on license, following his guilty plea last October.
Mr Thompson, who was aged 62, died in a fire that was deliberately started in his home in Cloughoge, in the outskirts of Newry, in May 2021.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Today, Guyonfa O'Leary has been sentenced for manslaughter and committing arson recklessly
00:07 to endanger life, having unlawfully killed Andrew James Thompson. The 44 year old was
00:18 sentenced to serve 7 years, half in custody and half unlicensed. Following his guilty
00:27 sentence, he was released on a £100,000 bail last October. Mr Thompson, who was aged
00:34 62, died in a fire that was deliberately started in his home in Clogg, outside Guyonfa in May
00:41 2021. The fatal fire took place on the night of Friday 21st May 2021. Officers attended
00:51 the scene, along with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland
00:57 Ambulance Service. Here, Mr Thompson, known as Jimmy, was found unconscious in a bedroom
01:03 and carried outside by colleagues from the fire service. Sadly, he was declared dead
01:10 at the scene. Guy McGee, who lived locally, was also found slumped inside the locked back
01:18 door and was taken to hospital for treatment. It's been proven that McGee had started three
01:26 fires at various locations within the house by the direct ignition of combustible material.
01:35 The results of subsequent post-mortem confirmed Jimmy's death was caused by smoke and collision.
01:43 I'm keen to acknowledge the efforts of everyone who attended that scene, from the fire service
01:49 and ambulance service to our own officers. I'd also like to thank local people of Clogg
01:55 who raised the alarm and went on to assist my investigation. Thanks to our investigation
02:02 team and working in partnership with our colleagues from the Public Prosecution Service, the defendant
02:08 has been held accountable for his actions. I am deeply mindful that nothing can take
02:15 away a family's sorrow. This was a deliberate and senseless act which has resulted in an
02:23 unimaginable loss. It leaves behind a grieving partner and loving family who remain truly
02:29 happy. My thoughts and that of the team are with them. I'm going to read a statement from
02:38 Colin Thompson, Jimmy's brother. It's been a sad and truly difficult two and a half years
02:45 for us. We've all suffered. Jimmy's partner, his friends and the whole family. Today's
02:55 sentencing of Gary McGee will help to bring some closure, but it won't bring Jimmy back.
03:02 Nothing will change. We're left with an emptiness. We miss him every single day and we'll continue
03:11 to grieve for the loss of our brother for a long time to come. We would like to thank
03:17 the investigation team, I, my family and Jimmy's partner, whoever built him, for all the support
03:25 they've given us. We'd also like to thank the Fire Service and Medics for all they did
03:31 to help. Thank you.
03:33 Thank you.
03:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]