Mother's loss from one-punch attack

Source (with video)

The mother of a man killed by a single punch during a night out in Omagh has told UTV she hopes a local initiative will help prevent anyone else dying in similar circumstances.

Darren McBrearty, 28, was struck once in the head by Christopher McClean outside Tipplers Bar on John Street in Omagh on 4 August last year.

He was knocked to the ground and although initially on a life support machine, he died a few days later.

Medics told the family he sustained 98% brain damage.

Initially McLean, a former junior boxing champion from Main Street in Gortin, said he acted in self-defence but days before a trial was due to get underway he pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter.

On Friday, the 19-year-old was jailed for 18 months for the manslaughter, and will spend a further two and a half years on licence.

Speaking to UTV, Kathleen McBrearty described her son as a sports fanatic who was devoted to his family.

She explained how devastating his loss has been to her.

"There's a large piece of my heart has been taken....and the fact is it was one punch...one punch took his life," she said.

Ms McBrearty believes the sentence handed down to her son's attacker is too lenient.

"I've had to live without Darren for 17 months and how would his parents feel if the shoe was on the other foot? It's is hard knowing your youngest child is never coming back."

In the aftermath of the fatal attack a project was established to help make the town centre safer at night.

'Street Angels' volunteers help people exiting local bars and nightclubs to get home safely.

Darren's sister, aunts and his cousins have all joined, determined to prevent what happened to Darren from happening to other young men.

"I hope there are no more deaths in this town," his mother explained.

"I don't want any other mother to get the news I got. Don't take another person's life. One punch that's all it takes."