Wayne O'Donoghue was released from the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise early yesterday morning; no prisoner release this year will have been so keenly awaited and so much reported on. He was met by his father and his solicitor and read a prepared statement to the waiting media. In the statement Mr O'Donoghue, first and foremost, apologised to the Holohan family for taking the life of their beloved son, Robert, in January 2005.
Mr O'Donoghue served three years of a four-year sentence, having qualified for 25 per cent remission. The length of the sentence handed down by Mr Justice Carney caused some disquiet and the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed to the Court of Criminal Appeal arguing that the sentence was unduly lenient. The court determined that the sentence was appropriate.
But the fact that Mr O'Donoghue has paid his debt to society for the crime he committed is no guarantee that he - or his family - will be left alone to move on with their lives and make of them what they can. It was courageous of him to face the media and read the statement himself. He expressed remorse and accepted responsibility not just for taking Robert's life but for his behaviour after the killing when he dumped the body, only adding to the distress of the Holohan family.
In the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus Christ was asked how often a person should show forgiveness and he replied 70 times seven. It would be entirely understandable if the Holohan family can never find it in their hearts to forgive Wayne O'Donoghue for what he did. Mr O'Donoghue served three years in jail; the Holohan family have had a life sentence imposed on them. Yet, Mr O'Donoghue and his family yesterday started another sentence which could last for their natural lives. Certainly, life for them will never again have the hope and happiness that they once enjoyed.
Whether they are able to rebuild their lives will depend to a considerable extent on the behaviour of the media. Mr O'Donoghue's ability to return to studies, gain employment or form friendships will be put to nought if he is to be hounded by the media seeking answers to questions or simply stalked by reporters and photographers as he tries to lead a passing resemblance of a normal life.
The terrible tragedy of Robert's death and the way that it and the trial consumed public attention was exceptional but Mr O'Donoghue is entitled to his privacy nevertheless. Inaccuracies and invasions of privacy are the charges which are most frequently laid at the door of the media. Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan spelled out at the launch of the Press Council and the Office of the Press Ombudsman that if the new bodies did not manifest a greater regard for privacy by the media then he would have no hesitation in tabling a privacy Bill which, it can be assumed, would bring about significant restriction on freedom of expression. The release of Wayne O'Donoghue will be an important test of the media's attitude to privacy and fairness.