There was always going to be strong media interest in Majella Holohan's victim impact statement, but when she asked why semen had been found on her son's body the story was propelled onto the front pages of all the newspapers.
Some tabloid newspapers devoted up to 10 pages on the case and returned to the story several times in the following days. Mr Justice Paul Carney described press coverage of the trial as "phenomenal" and said the tabloids "stirred up such hatred for the accused that he has no future in this country when his time is served".
Mrs Holohan's statement came in time for the Evening Herald'sfinal edition on the day of the court hearing. It carried a large photograph of Robert Holohan on its front page with the headline "Was Robert Molested?"
The story gave prominence to Mrs Holohan's claim that semen had been found on her dead son's body, that photographic images had been wiped from Robert's phone and that Wayne O'Donoghue had dialled Robert's number at 6am.
It carried nine more pages on the case inside, with all pages carrying the strapline "Judgment Day".
The newspaper returned to the story on the following day, claiming an exclusive interview with Mrs Holohan. The front page headline ran: "He Groomed My Rob - Majella Speaks Out".
The story said that Mrs Holohan had compared her son's killing to the Soham killings carried out by Ian Huntley.
The Irish Suncarried six pages on the case on the day after Mrs Holohan made her statement. Its front-page headline was "Nothing But A Paedophile", with a smaller headline "Mum's Rage As She Reveals Sex Stain On Robert". The Irish Sunstory said Mrs Holohan had "branded her son's killer a sex fiend as he was caged for just four years".
The five pages of inside coverage included an article "Kid's Killer Is Pals With Caged Sex Fiend", referring to O'Donoghue's incarceration at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise.
The Irish Daily Mirror'sfront-page headline asked "Was My Robert A Sex Abuse Victim?", with a smaller headline, "Mum's Fury At Semen Found On Child's Body".
Four pages inside the paper included a claim of an exclusive story: "Out in Two Years: Model Prisoner O'Donoghue To Get Time Slashed". The tabloid also asked readers to contact it with their views on the four-year sentence handed to O'Donoghue.
The story again made the front page of the Irish Daily Mirroron the following day, with a headline "Wayne's Weird World" and an article that said "Child killer was all smiles yesterday as he showed delight at his pathetic four-year sentence".
It also included the claim by Mrs Holohan that her son was being groomed for sex. The semen found on her son's hand "didn't fall out of the sky", she was quoted as saying.
The Irish Daily Starcarried seven pages on the case on the day after Mrs Holohan's statement. Its front-page headline claimed "It Was Wayne's Semen" and said there was a one in 70 million chance that the semen did not belong to O'Donoghue.
Another article, "Semen Claims Lower Levels of Sympathy", suggested that O'Donoghue would receive little sympathy from fellow prisoners following the claims of semen being found.
Barrister Shane English penned an article for the Daily Star- "It's Fair . . . Given All The Factors" - which supported Mr Justice Carney's sentencing. However, the tabloid's editorial disagreed, claiming "Punishment Does Not Fit Crime".
In his Wednesday night address, Mr Justice Carney said the victims were given "iconic status" by the media: "It is not acceptable that a sentencing objective of the High Court upheld by the Court of Criminal Appeal should be frustrated by an unwilling coalition between the victim and the tabloid press."
