Brothers jailed for up to 11 years for double killing

Four brothers have been jailed for up to 11 years each for killing a Portadown girl and her boyfriend in a fire at the remote cottage they shared in south Armagh.

Niall, Martin, Christopher and Stephen Smith killed Lisa McClatchey and Thomas O’Hare at the couple’s home near Tassagh, in 2006.

Niall Smith was jailed for 10 years, his three brothers 11 years each.

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Niall Smith’s sentence was reduced because he had effectively pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

In December, they were convicted of manslaughter but cleared of murder.

Mr O’Hare and Ms McClatchey died of the injuries they suffered in the fire at the house. The four brothers were also badly burned.

The brothers had admitted breaking into the house, beating Mr O’Hare and pouring petrol around the property.

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The trial had been told Mr O’Hare had sexually abused one of the brothers years before.

The brothers had claimed their intention had been to burn the house in a bid to force Mr O’Hare from the area.

The Smith brothers had also been found not guilty of arson, but guilty of attempted arson.

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