A woman was left fighting for her life after a brutal attack that led to the death of her friend. The assailant, who had initially assaulted a barman at a pub in Cork, later targeted the two young women at a family home in Rochestown.
The tragic incident, which occurred on the evening of April 27, 2002, unfolded as Nichola Sweeney and her friend Sinead O’Leary were getting ready for a night out. The attacker, Peter Whelan, unknown to the victims, barged into the bedroom and launched a violent assault on them.
Sinead bore the brunt of the attack, sustaining multiple stab wounds, while Nichola, in a desperate plea for mercy, was also brutally stabbed. Despite Sinead managing to barricade herself in a bathroom, Whelan callously returned to the crime scene after changing clothes, where he was eventually captured by the police.
Whelan, convicted of Nichola’s murder and the attempted murder of Sinead, has shown no remorse for his heinous actions. Despite serving a reduced sentence for attempted murder, he is now seeking parole, prompting concerns from the survivors and the victims’ family about the potential risks of his release.
Sinead, reflecting on the traumatic event, expressed her fear of encountering Whelan if he is set free, emphasizing the need for protective measures to prevent any contact with him or the victims’ families. The possibility of Whelan being granted parole has reignited apprehension among those affected by his vicious crimes.