Son receives six-year sentence for mother’s death

An individual who caused the death of his mother by placing a pillow case over her face at the residence they shared in Co Tyrone has received a six-year prison sentence. However, Barry Noone, aged 47, who had resided in England for two decades prior to his return to Northern Ireland to assist in his mother’s care, is expected to be released after a period of six months. Una Noone, aged 77, passed away at her residence on Rathkeen Avenue, Cookstown, during June 2022. Testimony presented in court indicated that Barry Noone had a background of familial challenges and issues with his mental health. This Tuesday, a judge imposed a six-year custodial sentence on Barry Noone, whose address is Daleside Road in London. The judge stipulated that three years of this term were to be served in custody, with the subsequent three years spent on licence. Consequently, given that Noone has already been held on remand for two and a half years, his release from incarceration is anticipated in six months. Noone had previously informed Belfast Crown Court that he denied the charge of murder but admitted guilt for “manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility”. The Public Prosecution Service agreed to his plea of manslaughter, following the acquisition of psychiatric evaluations. An autopsy determined that Una Noone’s death resulted from compressions to the neck. The PPS had previously asserted that the prosecution’s argument was that Barry Noone had “smothered his mother with a pillow case”.” On Tuesday, while delivering his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice O’Hara mentioned a victim impact statement provided by Barry Noone’s sister, Tracy. The Judge described the statement as “challenging reading” and noted Tracy’s belief that her brother’s account of the events had been “too easily accepted”. Una Noone’s body was found in the bedroom of her residence in Cookstown, holding her rosary beads. Her son was apprehended at the location. Additionally, a letter bearing Barry Noone’s signature was discovered, in which he expressed that he could no longer cope. He had come back from England, having resided there for two decades, to care for his mother, and he stated that while it had been traumatic, he felt he could not abandon her to face her difficulties by herself. He conveyed that her burdens had become his own to carry, and he was no longer able to bear them. Subsequently, he conveyed regret and sadness regarding the incident. After the verdict was delivered, PSNI Detective Inspector Michelle Colhoun stated that she was “deeply aware that Una’s family and loved ones are left to deal with unimaginable heartache and loss”. Detective Inspector Colhoun further commented: “This is the most tragic case of domestic homicide in which an innocent woman’s life was taken.”Sadly, domestic abuse can take many forms, from emotional to physical abuse. Abuse can happen over days or years, or can be a single act. It can affect anyone, irrespective of background, gender or age.”In this case, an irreversible act of violence took the life of a 77-year-old woman.” Detective Inspector Colhoun encouraged anyone affected by domestic violence to reach out to law enforcement. All rights reserved. Copyright 2024 BBC. The BBC disclaims responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.