EVIL Barry McCarney was yesterday told he will serve at least 25 years behind bars for the murder and sexual assault of 15-month-old baby Millie Martin.
At the end of his Dungannon Crown Court trial last month, 33-year-old McCarney, from Trillick, Tyrone, was found guilty of the murder, sexual assault and grievous bodily harm of the toddler.
McCarney was in a relationship with Millie’s mother Rachael Martin at the time of the killing. She had also faced charges in relation to her daughter’s death but was acquitted of all counts against her.
Baby Millie died from severe head injuries in the early hours of December 11, 2009 having been rushed unconscious from her Glebe Park home in Enniskillen to the Erne Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Yesterday, McCarney showed no emotion as Mr Justice Stephens told him he would have to serve a minimum of 25 years behind bars before he is considered for possible release on licence.
The judge said that McCarney was a deeply manipulative man who was devoid of social norms and who pretended to love Millie but considered she was his to abuse when the opportunity arose for his sexual gratification.
He said he had shown no remorse for his “sadistic and sexual assault” on a totally helpless child
Millie died on December 11, 2009 – a day after she was admitted to hospital in Enniskillen with serious injuries
The court was told her death followed weeks of abuse that culminated in a fatal attack in the house in Glebe Park, Enniskillen which McCarney shared with Millie’s mother.
The judge said that on one occasion, McCarney claimed he had had a craving for a KitKat and sent Millie’s mother out to get him one.
But he added that he went upstairs with the intention of causing Millie “really serious harm”.
Police released CCTV pictures of McCarney rushing into hospital with a dying Millie cradled in his arms and he consistently denied having harmed her.
He told detectives he was sickened and shocked by the baby’s death.
Mr Justice Stephens said that at first McCarney was a doting father to Millie and spoiled her, but he said he had used the child as a tool to gain the affections of her mother.
Outside court, Rachael Martin hurried past journalists, saying only that McCarney’s sentence was too short.
Her sentiments were echoed by her mother Margaret Graham, who said: “He didn’t get long enough. He put us through a life sentence and he should be getting life. Life should be life.”
But McCarney’s father Kevin said: “It’s a disgrace that my son has got 25 years without any evidence shown on the table. We will be appealing the case and he will be proved innocent.”
The accused’s brother, also called Kevin, said: “Barry McCarney is an innocent man.”