Man jailed for murder of Sligo native in Australia

A 59-year-old man has been sentenced to 31 years in prison for the murder of his future son-in-law, Irish man Damien Conlon in New South Wales.
Mr Conlon, 38, who was from Sligo, was shot dead by his fiancée’s father, army veteran Luke Simon at his home in Oberon, New South Wales on 9 February 2023.
Mr Conlon, a carpenter by trade, moved to Australia more than ten years before his death. He had established a business and became an Australian citizen in June 2021.
According to RTE, when imposing a 31-year prison sentence, Judge McNaughton said the sentence should deter others from settling disputes with the violent use of firearms.
Judge McNaughton imposed a sentence of 31 years, reflecting the finding of special circumstances. She imposed a non-parole period of 22 years with the sentence to commence on 9 February 2023.
She said she was acutely conscious, neither words nor the imposition of a sentence can restore the loss of a loved one and extended her sympathies and sincere condolences to Mr Conlon’s loved ones.