Sean courtney patricia otoole biography

Courtney, a former soldier admitted killing Ms O’Toole but claimed he was insane at the time – due to post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his experiences in Lebanon.

Victims support groups are concerned the case could set a precedent for other prisoners to seek early release because they too fathered children on temporary release.

Mr Courtney Snr said an “innocent child” should not be brought into media reports, complaining that one tabloid had even reproduced the infant’s birth certificate.

When questioned on whether his son was now seeking early release partly based on his new family he said: “I think the baby would be A1 with Sean and the girl, but the whole thing is the papers should give the baby a break.”

Asked if Courtney would have somewhere to live when released his father said “he can live with me, and my neighbours have no problems with him – they have met him”.

He said his son “would marry his new partner” –