Sinéad O’Leary : Fighting Spirit

Trigger warning : Knife attack, Murder, PTSD.Sinéad O’Leary was only 19 when her life changed forever.She and her friend Nichola Sweeney, were getting ready to go out, when a neighbour (Peter Whelan) broke into Nichola’s home and attacked them both.Sinéad was stabbed 20 times and managed to survive the onslaught, while her friend Nichola unfortunately died, due to her wounds. In this conversation, Sinéad speaks about her friendship with Nichola, the night itself, the court case and how 19 years on, she doesn't feel safe or respected by the state. It is without a doubt, the most affecting podcast I’ve ever recorded. * Further viewing - TG4 documentary Finné, Series 3 Episode 4 which is still available on the TG4 playerSome extra points from Sinéad….‘My overall experience is that there has been a lack of duty and care for victims throughout the process. A process which I have found to be inhumane and negligent. I was a State Witness in a murder trial but once I had testified against Peter Whelan, I felt completely disposable. When his numerous appeals were launched I would learn of same only through media outlets. I learned about his day releases, parole hearings and sentence remission from a journalist in 2019. Parole hearings which were unconstitutional, which he was not legally entitled to. These revelations shocked me to the core. Only now that I have made a concerted effort to seek the truth, have I been given the right to receive updates of parole hearings and upcoming day releases. It shouldn’t be this hard for victims. After Prime Time aired in 2019 no accountability was taken by the department of justice with regard to the gross mishandling of Peter Whelan's sentence management. I was assured by the then Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, that the new Parole Act would give much needed and increased rights to victims. That the minimum term for parole eligibility for lifers would be increased from 7 to 12 years. I was made to believe, time and time again, that the act would apply retrospectively to Pet