‘Absolute disgrace’ – Family of Martin Lynn ‘deeply let down’ after DPP decide not to appeal killer’s sentence

The sister of a man who died in an unprovoked one-punch attack has said her family feel “deeply let down” after they were informed that the DPP will not appeal the leniency of the sentence imposed on his killer.

Earlier this month, criminal Christopher O’Neill (31) was jailed for six years for the manslaughter of Martin Lynn in Santry in 2023.

The judge had imposed a sentence of eight and a half years, but suspended the final two and a half, citing O’Neill’s expression of remorse as a mitigating factor.

O’Neill, who has 24 previous convictions, attacked Martin without any warning as he returned home, causing catastrophic injuries that proved fatal.

Martin Lynn 

In recent weeks, Martin’s sister Sharon and her family had criticised the sentence handed down to O’Neill and had spoken to Crime World of their hopes that the sentence would be challenged.

However, posting on social media this evening, Sharon shared news of the decision which she described as “an absolute disgrace”.

“This afternoon we were informed that the DPP will not appeal the low sentence imposed for the senseless killing of my brother Martin,” Sharon wrote.

Christopher O’Neill. Photo: RTE 

“Our family is heartbroken and deeply let down by our justice system. It is incredibly difficult to accept that the taking of Martin’s life results in a six-year sentence. In reality, likely just over four years will be served, possibly less. For killing someone, leaving the scene of a crime and putting everyone through a lengthy investigation for 2.5 years…its an absolute disgrace. “

“We have not even been given the opportunity to discuss this with the DPP. Families of victims are left on the outside with unanswered questions.

“My understanding is that the DPP accept that it is a low sentence. But even a low sentence cannot be appealed unless it falls outside the range courts have previously imposed for manslaughter.”

Sharon has now called for a reform of the Irish justice system’s sentencing laws, saying the range is too broad and therefore lacks clarity.

“There are no formal sentencing guidelines in Ireland and a deliberate, violent attack on an innocent young man who was just trying to get home can be treated in the same legal category as a negligence case,” Sharon wrote.

“The range is so broad for manslaughter that families have no way of knowing which end of the range the judge will place the crime.

Crime Wrap for January 30 

“This is fundamentally wrong. We urgently need to reform our sentencing laws.

I know many of you who loved Martin will struggle with this news. We are too. Violent criminals are protected by our system and families of victims and the victims themselves are the ones who pay the price.”

Sharon added that her and her family will not give up fighting for change in her brother’s memory.

“I want to thank the Gardaí who investigated Martin’s case with such dedication. They did everything they could. We were up against a justice system that sadly works in favour of the criminal,” Sharon said.

“To everyone who supported us, signed the petition, and supported us in court— thank you. Knowing that so many people were as outraged as we were and recognised that Martin deserved better than this, has meant the world to us.

“Although this legal process has now ended, my determination to speak up for Martin and other families navigating this broken system has not. Martin’s memory deserves more than silence, and if we don’t speak up, nothing will change. Martin was loved beyond words and we miss him everyday.”

O’Neill, of Larkhill Road in Whitehall, Santry, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the manslaughter of Martin Lynn on July 30, 2023.

Martin (33) had just gotten out of a taxi near his home when O’Neill drove past and stopped his motorbike before approaching the victim and punching him in the head.

The attack was carried out without warning or provocation and while Martin had his hands in his pockets.

During sentencing, Judge Martin Nolan said that it was very hard to understand why O’Neill, who has 24 previous convictions, walked back to Mr Lynn.

He said there was no provocation, and it was not clear what happened or what caused O’Neill to do what he did.

Judge Nolan also noted that the deceased was a very popular man who was living a productive and happy life whose life was taken as a result of a temper outburst.

O’Neill entered a guilty plea just before his trial was due to start, which the family say forced them through “years of painful waiting and full trial preparation and trauma”.

Sharon Lynn said the idea that he was remorseful as stated in court was “quite frankly offensive and very upsetting” to them as a family.

Ms Lynn said they never received any apology, explanation or “any communication in fact from Christopher O’Neill”.

“He wrote a letter to the judge and we didn’t see that letter; if remorse was expressed, it was privately for the court and not offered to those he actually harmed.

“He also was laughing in court, he winked at someone just after the sentencing and also on the first day after our victim impact statements were presented – that’s not remorse, in my opinion.”

 The family felt the sentence was inadequate on a number of grounds, including that O’Neill had previously ­received a largely suspended sentence in 2012 for endangerment and dangerous driving “where someone could have been killed”.

With standard remission the killer could be released in just four-and-a-half years.

An online petition set up by the family last week received over 1,000 signatures within hours of being published.