Widow’s fury over sentence for husband’s murderers

Two dissident republicans convicted for their part in the murder of a policeman in Northern Ireland must serve a minimum of 25 and 14 years in jail.

Constable Stephen Carroll was shot dead by the Continuity IRA in Craigavon, County Armagh, in March 2009.

Earlier this year Brendan McConville, 41, and John Paul Wootton, 21, were found guilty of murdering the Police Service of Northern Ireland officer.

Lord Justice Paul Girvan told McConville at Belfast Crown Court that he must serve a minimum of 25 years behind bars, while Wootton must serve at least 14 years before being considered for release.

Constable Carroll’s widow Kate said she was disgusted by the sentence handed out to Wootton.

Mrs Carroll said: “It gives the message out that it is fine to kill a policeman here because you get a rap on the knuckles. Justice has been done? Not for us it has not. Stephen is still in his grave.”