MURDERED Limerick champion boxer Kevin Sheehy’s heartbroken mother said she is being prevented from reading out her victim impact statement at her son’s killer’s sentencing in the UK.
Tracey Tully told the Limerick Post that she will not be allowed read her victim impact statement when Logan Jackson receives a jail tariff at an upcoming UK court sitting.
Logan Jackson received a transfer from Limerick Prison to Wandsworth Prison, England, after Ireland’s Department of Justice said his continued presence in Limerick would continue to present the jail with “very significant security risks”, including “a threat to staff and prisoners at Limerick Prison, as well as Mr Jackson”.
The late Limerick champion boxer’s devastated mother, Tracey Tully, who fought a legal battle against the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee in order to keep her innocent son’s killer behind bars in Limerick, said she was not aware of any threats to Jackson, adding that she felt her human rights had been “ignored” by both the Irish and UK justice systems by not keeping Jackson in prison “in the city where he murdered my son” and by refusing to allow her to speak at Jackson’s tariff hearing.
It has emerged that Jackson is to appear soon before a court in England to receive a tariff for the murder, however Ms Tully has been informed by authorities that while she can send her victim impact statement to the judge for consideration, and she will not be allowed to read it out herself in court.
“Jackson is going to be re-sentenced and I feel like the murder charge he got here means nothing over there (in the UK). It is another nightmare for me,” said Ms Tully.
“I hate his name, I keep hearing his name – Logan Jackson – it’s just a nightmare and I can’t be there because it is going to be a paper hearing only.
“I feel that I should have the choice to read my victim impact statement in that court in England, it is my statement, but this is just another kick in the teeth.”
A letter sent by the HM Prison and Probation Service to Ms Tully read: “The setting of the tariff will be a paper hearing only, so you will not be allowed to read out your statement. It can be submitted for review and the judge will read it prior to setting the tariff.”
A statement issued by a spokesman for the former acting Justice Minister, Simon Harris, following Jackson’s successful request to be transferred to the UK, offered that Mr Harris was “satisfied” that Jackson “can expect to spend many more years in prison, as is just, given the horrific nature of the crime he committed and the pain he has caused”.
However, Tracey Tully said she understands that Jackson may serve less time in the UK than he might have had he had remained in Limerick Prison.
“There is a possibility this man could get a lesser sentence – he could get more, but there is a possibility he could get less,” she said.
Not being allowed to read out her victim impact statement has “re-traumatised” Ms Tully and her loved ones, she says.
“We’ve been already traumatised, having been put through a trial for a man that showed absolutely no remorse and who pleaded not guilty to murder, and he still gets all these decisions in his favour,” Ms Tullly said.
“It’s all about Logan Jackson. I have heard very little people speak about my son, his life was taken.”
Ms Tully’s hopes are that by continuing to highlight her experiences with the justice system, she may spark changes that will give victim’s families a better outcome.
