Edward Meenan trial: One man guilty of murder, another of manslaughter - BBC News
Edward Meenan's body was found in an alleyway in Creggan Street in Londonderry on 25 November 2018.
Edward Meenan's body was found in an alleyway in Creggan Street on 25 November 2018

One man has been found guilty of murder and another man guilty of manslaughter in relation to the killing of Edward Meenan in Londonderry.

Mr Meenan's body was found in an alleyway behind Creggan Street on 25 November 2018.

Sean Rodgers, 34, of no fixed abode, and Ryan Walters, 22, from Station Park in Crossgar, denied murder.

The victim's brother, Terry Meenan, said his life had been taken away "in the most horrific fashion".

A jury on Tuesday found Rodgers guilty of murder, and Walters not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

A third man, Derek Creswell, 29, of King's Lane in Ballykelly, had already pleaded guilty.

Walters was also found guilty of assault on William McConnell - a friend of Mr Meenan's - on the same date.

After a trial lasting six weeks, the jury deliberated for 10 hours before returning a verdict.

During the trial, the jury was told Mr Meenan sustained 52 stab wounds and there were more than 100 signs of assault, including two broken legs.

After the verdict, Judge Donna McColgan thanked the jury, describing them as "the most attentive I have ever come across".

She told Rodgers the only sentence she could pass was a life sentence. A tariff hearing will be held at a later date to determine the minimum time he will serve.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, Terry Meenan said the men had shown "disregard for human life" and had taken away the "most precious thing we had, our brother".

"The people who did it have shown no remorse whatsoever.

"How human beings can do that to another human being I'll never know," he continued.

"It's been an unforgettable, unimaginable three years and we've had to suffer that every day, every night, every morning, the thoughts of what they actually did to my brother."