DARREN GOODWIN MOUNTMELLICK KILLER TO BE RELEASED AFTER LIFE SENTENCE

In September 2014, the case of Darren Goodwin, a man from Mountmellick, who was sentenced to life imprisonment as a teenager for the brutal murder of 14-year-old Darragh Conroy, took a significant turn as his sentence was reviewed by the trial judge.

Goodwin, then 16 years old and residing in Graigue, Mountmellick, was convicted of the 2003 killing that shocked the small Laois town. His life sentence was not automatic due to his age, but Justice Barry White, after considering all evidence and circumstances, imposed the sentence, citing Goodwin’s own admission of a desire to kill someone.

Following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in July 2004, a jury found Goodwin guilty of the murder that occurred on Briar Lane, Mountmellick, on November 11, 2003. Goodwin had pleaded not guilty, but the evidence presented was overwhelming.

During the trial, Darragh Conroy’s mother recounted her desperate search for her son that night, calling his phone repeatedly, only to find his body on waste ground in Smithsfield, Mountmellick, shortly before midnight. The young boy had been subjected to six blows to the head, five of which were delivered in rapid succession with considerable force while he was lying helpless on the ground.

State Pathologist Marie Cassidy described the injuries, stating that Darragh’s skull was shattered, likening it to a jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing from the wounds. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on testimonies from friends and acquaintances of Goodwin, who testified that he had spoken about killing someone the week prior and had admitted to the murder on the night of the crime.

One classmate recounted Goodwin’s words: “Jesus, I’d love to kill someone, someone that no one would care about, like Darragh Conroy.” Another witness confirmed that Goodwin had admitted to hitting Darragh with a hammer that evening.

Goodwin’s grandmother testified that he had asked her for a hammer that evening, but she was unable to find one. The court also learned that Goodwin had met his father for the first time shortly before moving in with him, approximately six months before the murder. It was revealed that he had attempted suicide in September 2003.

When the original sentence was handed down, Justice White emphasized that Goodwin’s psychological reports indicated he posed a danger to society and even to his own father. Although life imprisonment was deemed appropriate for the premeditated and brutal murder, the judge decided to review the sentence after ten years.

In the recent review, despite the DPP’s request for more reports, the judge proceeded with the hearing. Goodwin’s father, David Horan, testified that he and his wife had moved away to prevent the Conroy family from having to face Goodwin if he was released. They rented a house with a separate apartment for their son, who was no longer 15, and arranged for him to undertake an apprenticeship.

Horan also expressed concern that Goodwin was not receiving adequate psychological services in prison, despite prior efforts to address this. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kevin Lamb testified that assessing Goodwin was complicated because the crime occurred when he was 15, before his mind was fully developed. He suggested that with proper forensic psychotherapy twice a week, Goodwin’s risk of future violence could be reduced, but he expressed doubts about the availability of such services.

Based on this, Justice White set a release date of July 1, 2016, with the condition that Goodwin receive intensive psychotherapy while incarcerated. The judge also noted that Goodwin’s remorse had not been convincingly demonstrated.

During the proceedings, Goodwin, dressed in a black jacket and blue jeans, took the stand to agree to good behavior and other conditions for his release. He exchanged words with his parents before and after the court session. Darragh Conroy’s parents were present but did not testify.

Reflecting on the case, the judge remarked that the murder of Darragh Conroy was a premeditated, vicious act that devastated his family and tarnished Goodwin’s reputation. He highlighted that Goodwin’s attitude during the trial was one of total indifference, showing no remorse or understanding of the gravity of his actions.

Although a life sentence for murder is typically mandatory, the judge exercised discretion given Goodwin’s age, ultimately affirming the life term but scheduling a review in ten years. The judge praised the young witnesses from Mountmellick who helped secure the conviction, acknowledging their bravery and cooperation.

As the court adjourned, both families left without further comment, with Darragh Conroy’s mother expressing her profound grief and the sense of incomprehensible loss. Goodwin was taken into custody in handcuffs, his face expressionless, as he began serving his life sentence, seemingly detached from the reality of his crime and its devastating impact on the Conroy family and the community of Mountmellick.