Kayden McGuinness killer Liam Whoriskey has appeal hearing listed for November

A man jailed for causing the death of a three-year-old boy is to claim jurors were not properly instructed on the offence of manslaughter, the Court of Appeal heard today.
Kayden McGuinness was killed in September 2017Kayden McGuinness was killed in September 2017
Kayden McGuinness was killed in September 2017

Liam Whoriskey's lawyers will mount the argument when he attempts to overturn his conviction for the killing of Kayden McGuinness in Derry.

Senior judges listed 27-year-old Whoriskey's appeal for hearing in November.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kayden was found dead in bed at his family flat in the Bogside area in September 2017.

Liam Whoriskey was found guilty of manslaughter at the city's Crown Court in October 2019Liam Whoriskey was found guilty of manslaughter at the city's Crown Court in October 2019
Liam Whoriskey was found guilty of manslaughter at the city's Crown Court in October 2019

Post-mortem examinations revealed blunt force trauma injuries, and at least 15 non-accidental bruises to his scalp.

Whoriskey, from Glenabbey Gardens in Derry, was the partner of the little boy's mother and had been looking after him on the night he died.

He denied killing the toddler, but was found guilty of manslaughter at the city's Crown Court in October 2019.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The jury also convicted him on a second charge of child cruelty.

Whoriskey was sentenced to 15 years, half to be served in prison and the rest on licence.

In court today his new legal representatives disclosed that a total of 10 grounds of appeal have now been lodged.

Frank O'Donoghue QC, instructed by Gillen & Co Solicitors, raised issues over directions to the jury in a case based on circumstantial evidence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He told judges there was also "an inadequate charge in relation to the ingredients of the offence of manslaughter".

Referring to the prison term imposed on Whoriskey, Mr O'Donoghue further contended: "Even on conviction (he) should not have received a total sentence of 15 years."

Fixing the appeal for a one-day hearing in November, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said: "I'm very conscious that this is a case of some vintage."