Republican News · Thursday 13 March 2003

Guilty verdict for McComb death driver

Harry Marley, the 20-year-old West Belfast man accused of being behind the wheel of a stolen car that struck and killed 15-year-old Debbie McComb, has been found guilty of dangerous driving causing her death.

A jury of five women and seven men took less than a day to find Marley guilty of the offence at Dungannon Crown court last Thursday 6 March, and he now awaits sentencing.

Marley was also found guilty of driving while disqualified and of dangerous driving on the same date. Marley is a serial "joyrider" who has 58 previous convictions for car crime, as well as offences for assault, dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Although he admitted stealing the Vauxhall Corsa, Marley denied that he was behind the wheel when the vehicle struck Debbie on the Springfield Road on 1 March of last year. It has also emerged that Neil Blaney, Marley's accomplice, had previously served an 18-month sentence for killing pedestrian father-of-three John McDonald in West Belfast in April 2000.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions this week defended its original decision to withdraw due to insufficient evidence the charge of causing death by dangerous driving first leveled against Marley. The decision sparked widespread public outrage and the DPP later reversed its position.

A spokesperson for the office stated: "Subsequent to the withdrawal of the charge, further evidence became available."

The group Families Bereaved Through Car Crime was founded in the aftermath of Debbie's death, and many of their representatives sat alongside dozens of Debbie's relatives throughout the trial.

Debbie's parents Mary and Jim said their grief was compounded by Marley's not guilty plea.

"No matter how much time he spends in jail, I will never forgive him," said Debbie's mother. "He put us through hell by pleading not guilty. He has showed no remorse. I want him to go to an adult prison and I want the maximum sentence of ten years."

Sinn Féin will be holding a rally against death driving at the Monagh Bypass in Belfast next Wednesday, 19 March, at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.