It is in the public interest for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to charge the 6 members of security and staff who were responsible for the death of Michael McDonagh, whilst on holiday with his wife and children. Stop allowing security staff and bouncers to abuse their power and hide behind multimillion pound corporations. 

Please sign this petition asking the CPS to prosecute the individuals responsible for Michaels murder.

In August 2022 whilst on holiday with his wife and three of their children, Michael McDonagh, was pinned to the ground and killed by six members of Parkdean Resort’s security and staff. The actions of the security and staff employed by the UK’s leading holiday-park operator, directly lead to our father’s death. The post-mortem identifies Michael’s cause of death to be cardiorespiratory collapse, restraint and compression of the neck which is a clear indication to the culpability of the suspects. 

As his family, we now ask why, two years following his murder, no one has been prosecuted for his unlawful death. 

Over 140 witnesses came forward to give statements to the police investigation team in the hope of assisting the investigation. These statements are backed up by:

• hours of video footage, collated from various sources;
• ⁠a report from an expert in restraint, who is of the opinion that "any type of hold around Michael’s neck would be dangerous", that having looked at the CCTV "the restraint of Michael should have ended some 5 to 6 minutes before it did" and that "the medical evidence shows an injury to the internal muscles of Michael’s neck which indicates that firm pressure was applied to this area for 15 to 30 seconds" - all six suspects where physically involved in the restraint of Michael; 
• Several witnesses describe the suspects as punching Michael whilst restraining him. They go on to describe the punches as "forceful" and suggest the suspect was "out of control";
• eye witness statements confirming they heard our father call out that he could not breath, which was also supported by the account of one of the six suspects;
• and two post mortem reports which concluded that our father had no underlying health conditions and his death was caused by asphyxiation;
• There is also evidence that the suspects were not monitoring or taking seriously concerns expressed about Michaels welfare. 

Nevertheless, even with all the evidence to hand, in February 2024 we were given the devastating news that the CPS would not be charging any of the individuals responsible. It is unfathomable that the CPS made the decision not to prosecute those responsible for our father’s death, especially considering the strong similarities between his death and the death of the late George Floyd, whose murder received worldwide outcry and media coverage. 

Please note, we have made an application under the Victims Right to Review to ask the CPS to review their decision not to start a prosecution.

How can we put our faith in a justice system that blatantly ignores an abundance of evidence which proves the actions of six individuals directly lead to the death of a healthy family man? 

If the CPS are not confident in their ability to seek justice in this instance, where there is copious amounts of evidence, then how can the general public have faith in them to seek justice for any other crime?

Our Dad was a kind, loyal and hard working man. He was a devoted husband of 32 years and a loving father of six children and three grandchildren. It breaks all of our hearts to know that we cannot see or speak to him again. At only 53 years of age, he still had so much to share and experience together with us as a family. Weddings, the birth of future grandchildren, holidays and Christmases are all events that our Dad should be a part of - but instead, these occasions are all tainted by the tragic loss of him. Our Dad's future was stolen from him and it is for this reason that we will continue to fight for justice for Michael McDonagh. 

We urge the CPS to reconsider this tragic event, correct their erroneous charging decision, and speak up for Michael McDonagh who was forever silenced that tragic night. If such a blatant act of murder is left unpunished, you can be assured that this devastating act of violence and lack of regard for human life will be repeated. We believe it is in the public interest for the CPS to pursue this case and we ask for your support to ensure that this happens.

Stephanie McDonagh and Shannon McDonagh 

Press Release 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/z5T7dCoCa51ztjUp/​

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/CPBZ22HE1bPqZsUb/​

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-68414938 

BBC News - Michael McDonagh: Family make appeal after funeral

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-63147611

BBC News - Michael McDonagh: Tributes after Camber Sands holiday park death

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-62478572​

https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2022-08-09/family-pay-tribute-to-loving-father-of-six-who-died-at-holiday-park

#JusticeForMichaelMcDonagh