Tyrone GAA captain Sean Hackett sentenced to ten years without parole for killing his dad

A RISING star in GAA football was jailed today for ten years without parole for the manslaughter of his father.

Sean Hackett had been found not guilty of murdering his dad ‘Wishy’ Hackett at the family home in Augher, Co Tyrone in January 2013 at his jury trial in Dungannon Crown Court two months ago.

However, the jury found the 19-year-old guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility with a unanimous verdict.

Sentencing him to life imprisonment with a minimum of ten years at Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, Mr Justice Ben Stephens told Hackett: “I consider that there is a significant risk that you will commit further specified offences and that there is a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public.

“I also consider that you will constitute a danger to the public for an unpredictable time. That is that there is a significant risk that you will commit further specified offences and that there is a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public for an unpredictable time.

“I also consider that this is not a case where your responsibility for your action was so grossly impaired that your degree of responsibility was minimal.

“Rather you calculated and planned this killing.

“You had the ability to exercise self-control.

“That ability was not impaired.

It was your judgment that was impaired.

“Your overall responsibility was diminished but remains comparatively high.”

Hackett will serve part of his sentence in Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre before being later transferred to the life sentence unit in Maghaberry Prison.