For the most severe crime, a father-of-2 is sentenced to at least 20 year imprisonment.
Stephen McKinney, 45, from Strabane, Tyrone, was convicted earlier this year of murdering his wife Lu Na McKinney, 35, during a boating holiday with their two children near Devenish Island in County Fermanagh on April 13, 2017.
McKinney & Lu Na went on three days of holiday with their small children to celebrate their fourteenth wedding anniversary.
They had hired a boat for their evening. However, her body was found in the sea near a jetty the following day.
Justice Denise McBride sentenced McKinney at Belfast Crown Court to life. He also said that he must serve at least 20 years in prison before being eligible for parole.
Stephen McKinney (pictured), 45, from Strabane, Tyrone, was jailed for life and the judge said he should serve a minimum term of 20 years before being considered for release
Lu Na McKinney, 35, (pictured) had moored on Devenish Island during a boating holiday with McKinney and their two children
According to Judge, the murder was deemed ‘the most horrendous crime’ and that it was planned and premeditated.
McKinney said that she had abused and degraded her. She also manipulated her and managed to control her until her death.
It was so cruel and needless. Your trust was something she could have relied on, but you betrayed this position and took her life too soon.
She referred to the particular presence of children in the room that night.
She said, “You denied her the chance to see her children grow up. You left behind a trail that was filled with destruction.
Two young children lost their mother’s support, love and care.
“Your actions have caused the children to be without their parents and have irreparably damaged their lives.
McKinney cried as he was taken away, and continued to insist on his innocence.
He maintained his wife’s drowning and tried to save it.
When Prosecutor QC Richard Weir asked how Lu Na fell into the water during the trial earlier this year, Mr. McKinney replied: ‘I don’t know, she just ended up in the water’, and that he jumped into the lough after her.
“I was looking for her in the sea, trying to find her. I tried to hold her and keep her upright. She fell, so I grabbed her and tried to get her up.
He said, “I tried pulling her back up but she refused to go down,” and then added: “And she pulled my down.”
In April 2017, a boat was moored near Devenish Island, Northern Ireland.
However, the judge ruled that murder was the culmination a coercive and controlling behavior throughout the couple’s marriage.
They thanked Lu Na’s relatives for the work they did on this case in a statement.
They stated: “As a family we have suffered four very hard years. It was made even more difficult by the fact that we live so far from both the investigation and trial.
“We are grateful that Lu Na was supported by so many people.
“This court case has resulted in some justice.
“It does NOT change the reality that Lu Na has been so cruelly taken away from us. We will never see, talk or have Lu Na as part of our family celebrations.
They were on holiday near Devenish Island with their children (pictured).
Justice McBride, in a brief hearing, also remembered a female detective who was involved with the case and had passed away before the trial started after having contracted Covid-19.
Eamon Corrigan from the PSNI’s main investigations team said that Detective Superintendent Eamon Corrigan was there to support Lu Na and her family. Their pain and loss will be with them forever.
‘It is clear that Lu Na won’t be returning to prison today, however this sentencing should bring some relief for her family.
“Stephen McKinney was convinced he had killed Lu Na. But he wasn’t. The police spoke out for Lu Na and got justice.