Overview
- Today’s scheduled review of Boy B’s 15-year term did not proceed after counsel for both sides agreed the court could not act and Mr Justice Paul McDermott made no order.
- Prosecuting counsel Brendan Grehan said the 15-year sentence stands, defence counsel James Dwyer concurred, and the judge recorded that he had no further function.
- Boy B, now 21, appeared via video link from prison as the court confirmed the original review provision is inoperative under the Supreme Court ruling.
- The Supreme Court last year held that the Central Criminal Court cannot review its own sentences and stated that life terms for children should be imposed only in exceptional cases.
- Mr Justice McDermott suggested Boy B obtain legal advice in light of Supreme Court guidance on sentencing juvenile murderers, while Boy A pursues appeal steps after receiving extra time from the Court of Appeal in November.