Wayne O'Donoghue yesterday apologised to Mark and Majella Holohan for causing the death of their son, Robert, as he was released from prison after serving three years for the manslaughter of the 11-year-old schoolboy.
Reading from a prepared statement, he said he fully accepted responsibility for the pain he had caused the Holohans, not just through causing the death of Robert but through his actions afterwards in failing to come forward for days and tell them what had happened.
"I realise and accept that nothing which I may do or say will ever ease their suffering, I feel and carry the burden of guilt for my actions each day," said Mr O'Donoghue, adding that he also regretted the hurt and distress he had caused the wider community.
Mr O'Donoghue was acquitted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of Robert Holohan's murder, but he pleaded guilty to the boy's manslaughter at Ballyedmond, Midleton, on January 4th 2005, saying he caught him in an armlock which caused asphyxia.
Judge Paul Carney sentenced him to four years in jail for the offence and yesterday he was released from the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise just before 7am.
His sentence was reduced by 25 per cent for good behaviour.
About 40 photographers and reporters had gathered outside the front gate of the prison, with some having maintained an all night vigil. About 20 gardaí were also in attendance to ensure Mr O'Donoghue was allowed leave the prison without incident.
At around 6.45am, an 07 Ford Mondeo approached the prison and was waved in by gardaí.
Ten minutes later the car emerged and stopped outside the prison gates where Mr O'Donoghue's solicitor, Frank Buttimer, got out and said his client wished to make a prepared statement.
Gardaí ushered the media back a metre or so and Mr O'Donoghue, dressed in a beige casual jacket and slacks, stepped from the back of the car into a barrage of flashing cameras. After a request from Mr Buttimer to cease the flash photography, he read from the statement.
Looking somewhat slimmer than during his most recent court appearances, the 23-year-old former Cork IT engineering student remained controlled throughout his two-minute reading of the statement.
His voice never faltered or wavered and his face betrayed little emotion as he read the one-page statement, flanked on one side by Mr Buttimer and on the other by his father Ray, who had joined him after also getting out of the car.
After expressing his sorrow for the pain and suffering he had also caused his own family, Mr O'Donoghue thanked all those who had kept in contact with him and sent him messages of support while serving his three-year sentence in the Midlands Prison.
He also thanked the governor and staff of the prison for the fair and reasonable treatment while an inmate there, and then reiterated his acceptance of responsibilty for causing the death of Robert Holohan and dumping his body.
"I fully accept personal responsibility for all my actions in this matter. I have always stated that I would as a consequence accept the penalty imposed by the court for my wrongdoing. I have served the penalty which has been imposed on me by the courts to the best of my ability.
"I intend this to be my only statement in relation to this matter and I would hope for your understanding in that regard," he concluded.
He ignored some shouted questions from reporters as he returned to the car before leaving Portlaoise.
It is understood that Mr O'Donoghue returned to Co Cork upon his release but his exact whereabouts are unknown.
It is thought that he may return to his family's rented home in Carrigtwohill in the short term before deciding his long-term future.