The family of a murdered Derry teenager plan to set up a website to help other families going through the same ordeal.

By Melissa Towell

Melissa@derrynews.net

Gerald O’Hagan was stabbed a total of 15 times during an horrific attack on his 19^th birthday by Paul Morrin in the Galliagh area of the city in February 2006.

Gerald O’Hagan’s father, Patrick, yesterday described the past two years as ‘extremely frustrating’ whilst the case was going through the legal system.

The trial reached its conclusion yesterday with Paul James Morrin, 43, of Galliagh Park being sentenced to 20 years in jail.

“I am feeling a lot better now it’s all over,” Mr O’Hagan told the Derry News.

“We have worked and strived for this day for two years. The right verdict was reached.”

However, he said he felt the justice system is ‘seriously flawed’ and needs to change. “There was no need for the case to take that long. All the starting and stopping has held up the grieving process.

“Then the case couldn’t even be held in Derry. We had to traipse to Coleraine for the eight week trial which meant that friends and family couldn’t be there. It’s indescribable what we went through.”