A DERANGED killer who strangled his friend — after claiming he was in “The Matrix” — is about to start day release trips from the Central Mental Hospital.
The Irish Sun can reveal Oisin Conroy, who killed tragic Natalie McGuinness, 23, in Sligo, on October 28, 2015, has been granted ‘Level 2’ clearance to leave the south Dublin facility.
The decision allows Conroy, 42, from Boyle, Co Roscommon, to enjoy supervised trips less than ten years after the brutal killing of his pal.
Conroy is being treated at the CMH after he was found not guilty of Natalie’s murder by reason of insanity in 2017.
However, his victim’s family fear that he could soon receive ‘Level 5’ clearance — which would allow him to enjoy unsupervised release days from the hospital.
Despite repeated requests from Natalie’s family to establish if Conroy has been allowed to leave the facility, they have been told their questions can not be answered — on the grounds of data protection.
‘I’ve no doubt in my mind he’ll always pose a threat’
Natalie’s sister Jodie told us of her fears she could meet Conroy if he’s granted an unsupervised trip.
The family are expected to hear from the CMH next week regarding their concerns.
Jodie said: “I could be taking my son to the zoo and possibly meet the man who took my wonderful sister from us.
“I have no doubt in my mind that he will always pose a threat and his home is only a half-hour from Sligo.
“It’s almost ten years since we lost Natalie and our pain never ends.
FAMILY LOST EVERYTHING
“They say there are no winners in this case, but he is the one clear winner — he is the one who has the best healthcare, access to education and dole payments when he comes out of the hospital.
“As a family who lost everything, we should be entitled to know why someone who was deemed to be insane could be considered for release from the hospital.
“Are they able to tell us he’s no longer insane?”
Following the killing, Conroy told Gardai he had an internal struggle in his mind “between the devil and Jesus” and a voice told him to kill his friend.
Conroy failed to take his own life after the killing and was deemed fit enough to be questioned by cops.
MANIPULATIVE
He only claimed to be living in an alternative universe “The Matrix” and hearing the voices half way through his police interview.
He also told the investigating officers that he had killed Natalie with a “rear naked choke hold” martial arts move.
Before her death, Natalie and Conroy had been friends, with the victim often providing him support.
Natalie’s sister also described him as “manipulative”.
She added: “It’s only when we look back now that we see what he was really like. Natalie saw the good in people and wanted him to have a good life.
“She helped him and did good by him and he was often welcomed into our home as a friend.
“They were never a couple. Natalie was much younger than him and, looking back, it was clear that he was manipulating her kindness and her generosity.”
LACK OF TRANSPARENCY
Jodie told us of her concerns over the “lack of transparency” once someone has been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity.
She said: “When someone in the criminal justice system goes for parole, or has day release trips, the families are informed.
“I had to wait almost ten years before being informed of the CMH’s victim liaison service.
“We don’t have the opportunity to oppose any kind of release or parole because Conroy is not in the criminal justice system.”
Jodie continued: “It’s clear that the system is flawed.
“If they do consider him sane, then no one will know what he did because he is not in the criminal justice system.
“He could meet someone and they wouldn’t even know about this. The final decision rests with the Justice Minister, but people need to know what he did and the impact it has had on our family.”
SHE WAS SO LOVED
She also paid tribute to her sister, adding: “Natalie was so loved.
“Losing her broke our family and we will never be the same again.
“It caused the worst pain you could ever imagine.
“She was just so bubbly and I can’t believe that she never got to meet my son.
“She just loved life and she had so many dreams for the future that were taken from her.
“Natalie dreamt of one day having a family of her own, but she never got the opportunity because of the barbaric way in which she was taken from us.”
Jodie also said: “We have such happy memories and we will never stop saying her name. We always remember her and the joy she brought to so many lives.”
Natalie’s mum Catherine also paid tribute to her daughter, adding: “We are the ones who have been left with a life sentence.
“I haven’t just lost a daughter, I have lost my best friend.
‘EXTRAORDINARY DAUGHTER’
“We want the Central Mental Hospital to be transparent to us, as we are the ones who continue to suffer as a result of this individual’s brutal actions.
“The families of loved ones who have been taken from them in the most brutal manner should not be left behind and should be taken into consideration when decisions are made for someone to be released from the CMH.”
Catherine added: “My daughter was so innocent and saw the good in everyone.
“She was an extraordinary daughter and human being who did not deserve this fate.”
