A savage attacker left a woman fighting for her life and her friend dead in a chilling incident that unfolded in County Cork, Ireland. The survivor, haunted by the trauma of being stabbed 20 times, fears encountering the assailant, who might soon be released from prison, nearly 23 years after the horrific event.
The tragic night began when Peter Whelan, then 20, was ejected from a pub in Cork after attempting to assault a barman with a glass ashtray. Meanwhile, Nichola Sweeney, a young woman living in Rochestown, had just returned home from work and was planning to spend time with her friend, Sinead O’Leary. As they prepared for a night out, Whelan, a stranger to the women, unexpectedly showed up at the Sweeney family home.
In a sudden and brutal attack, Whelan assaulted and fatally stabbed Nichola, while also viciously attacking Sinead. Despite pleading for mercy, both women sustained severe injuries. Sinead managed to barricade herself in a bathroom, while Whelan, after briefly fleeing, returned to the crime scene, leading to his arrest shortly afterward.
Whelan, who never expressed remorse for his heinous acts, eventually confessed to Nichola’s murder and the attempted murder of Sinead. Initially sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder, Whelan’s sentence was later reduced to 11 years before serving a life sentence for Nichola’s murder.
Recent reports suggest that Whelan has been granted supervised day releases from prison and is gearing up for his fifth parole application. Concerns have been raised by Sinead, the surviving victim, regarding Whelan’s potential release and the need for protective measures to prevent any contact with her or Nichola’s family.
Nichola’s family, deeply affected by the tragedy, remains apprehensive about Whelan’s possible freedom, with fears that his lack of remorse indicates a continued danger to society. Despite these concerns, the Parole Board has refrained from commenting on the specifics of this case.