This article is from page 2 of the 2006-03-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE family of a Kilmaley pensioner who was beaten to death in Birmingham last year has expressed relief that his killer has been held accountable.
Danny McGann (73), a native of Gortagannive, Kilmaley, was found dead in the garden of his home in the Acock’s Green area of Birmingham, on September 28, 2005. He had lived and worked in Birmingham for several years, having emigrated in the 60s.
Heroin addict Mohammed Naheem (35), of Enville Grove, Sparkhill, Birmingham, admitted murder and was jailed for life at Birmingham Crown Court last week.
Danny’s brother Christy McGann (84) said the conviction did not change anything for the grieving family.
“It doesn’t change things for us. It makes no difference now. It was very sad the way he died and we have to put up with it now. We can do nothing about it now . . . it is done with now anyway,” he said.
“We have gone through enough sadness. We want to know no more about it now”.
Kilmaley parish priest Fr Michael McLaughlin said there was “no winner” in the case.
“It is good there is closure. Thankfully he pleaded guilty so the family did not have to go through a trial in court. They have gone through enough already. Danny will be remembered by everybody. He was such a gentle man and was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” added the priest.
Mr Justice Hodge, in passing sentence last week, said the killer would spend 26 years in jail before being considered for parole. Naheem stole property from Ms McGann’s home, while he lay dying outside.
Naheem was jailed for 10 years in 1997, after he and another man had broken into the home of an 87-yearold woman and fractured her skull.