Ciaran's death 'like losing my own life'

Published Friday, 14 September 2012
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The mother of a Fermanagh GAA player who was stabbed to death said losing him was "like losing her own life".

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Ciaran Woods died in July 2010 after he was attacked at a house party in Tempo.

The man responsible - 37-year-old father of five Gary Philip Moane - was jailed for five years in court on Friday, after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Mr Woods' mother said she still hasn't come to terms with his death.

"Losing Ciaran was like losing my own life," said Breege.

"He was a great son who'd do anything for anyone and his death touched my heart, I still haven't got over it. I still live for the children. I keep a bright face for the children."

Lisnaskea man Ciaran was 36 years old when he was killed and he had a young daughter.

His sister Shauna, who felt "empty inside" when she first heard the tragic news, said the family has struggled through the past two years by sticking together.

"I was in disbelief," she explained.

"I was gutted really, just empty inside like everything had left me. It was a couple of days before we got his body home and it was the longest days of our lives.

"These past few years have been immensely difficult for the whole family but we're very strong, we stand by each other and help each other all the time."

Brookborough man Moane had 36 previous convictions and is an alcoholic.

Enniskillen Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard he didn't even know his victim and had latched on to the party to get more drink.

He had originally been charged with murder however his guilty plea to manslaughter was accepted on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to Alcohol Dependency Syndrome.

Moane told the court he is "riven with remorse" that he has taken a life.

"The family as a whole do not accept that he's sorry," continued Shauna.

"Anyone would show remorse when they're about to be sentenced for manslaughter to get a lighter sentence but he showed no remorse to our family.

"He stabbed Ciaran twice, that's not remorseful, he left the scene, even when he was stopped by police he drove on again - in my eyes you would show remorse when it happened, not two years later when the judge is about to sentence you."

The judge told Moane he will serve at least five years in prison, adding that he faces the prospect of never being freed.

Ciaran's mother said that, while there is closure in the ending of the trial, the pain will continue for them as they try to carry on with their lives.

"We'll just have to learn to live with the fact that Ciaran will not be with us, but we'll never forget him," Breege said.

"The hurt will always be there but we will get on with our lives and be strong together."

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