In 2019, my family lost my baby nephew, Hunter McGleenon, to murder. He was only 11 months old when his life was taken.

The man responsible made a last-minute confession just as the trial was about to begin. He received a life sentence, but the judge then had to decide the minimum tariff – the number of years he must serve before he can even be considered for release.

That tariff was set at 13 years.

For the murder of an innocent, tiny, defenceless baby!

Our family was devastated and outraged. We believed that a life sentence would mean a minimum of twenty-five years in prison. Instead, mitigation and a guilty plea dramatically reduced the tariff.

We had to take the case to the Court of Appeal to have that sentence increased to 16 years.

This experience exposed a serious gap in the law.

In Northern Ireland, a life sentence does not guarantee a sentence that reflects the true gravity of the crime. Tariffs can still be significantly reduced through mitigation and guilty plea reductions, even in cases involving the murder of babies or very young children.

This means the final sentence can fall far below what the public would reasonably expect for such horrific crimes.

No family should ever have to sit through a sentencing hearing and realise that the justice they were promised isn’t what the law actually delivers.

That is why I am calling on the Northern Ireland Executive and the Department of Justice to introduce a blanket tariff of 25 years for the murder of babies and very young children.

The murder of a baby or very young child is fundamentally different from the murder of an adult.

An adult has lived. They have had years of experiences – friendships, school, love, memories.

When a baby or young child is murdered, an entire lifetime is taken before it has even begun.

Every first.
Every milestone.
Every possibility.

Babies and very young children are also among the most vulnerable members of our society. They cannot defend themselves, ask for help, or escape abuse.

The law should recognise that vulnerability clearly in the sentencing framework.

A 25-year blanket tariff would ensure that sentences for the murder of babies and young children properly reflect the gravity of the crime and the vulnerability of the victims.

Hunter deserved a lifetime.

The least the law can do is ensure that those who take such lives face a sentence that reflects the enormity of what has been lost.

Please sign and share this petition so we can push for the change this law so desperately needs and bring real justice for the babies and children whose lives have been taken far too soon.

We truly appreciate your support.