Northern Ireland

Orhan Koca handed 14-year jail term for murder of boxer Eamonn Magee jnr

 Orhan Koca was given a life sentence, with a minimum tariff of 14 years, for the murder of Eamonn Magee jnr
 Orhan Koca was given a life sentence, with a minimum tariff of 14 years, for the murder of Eamonn Magee jnr  Orhan Koca was given a life sentence, with a minimum tariff of 14 years, for the murder of Eamonn Magee jnr

A 34-year-old man who stabbed his estranged wife's new boyfriend to death in an unprovoked and brutal attack in west Belfast was today informed he will serve a minimum of 14 years of his life sentence in prison.

Mr Justice Treacy said it was his view that Orhan Koca armed himself in advance then went to his former family home in Twinbrook with the intention of killing Eamonn Magee jnr.

Describing 22-year old Mr Magee as a "promising young boxer and student", Mr Justice Treacy said Koca was motivated by jealousy, and branded his version of events as both untrue and self-serving.

The father of three, a Turkish national who at the time of the murder was effectively homeless, was told he will serve a minimum of 14 years of his life sentence before he is considered eligible for release by the Paroles Commission.

Speaking afterwards, the murder man's father - former world champion boxer Eamonn Magee snr - said: "No sentence imposed will ever bring back my son."

Since the fatal stabbing in the early hours of Saturday May 30, 2015, Koca consistently denied involvement. However, after pleading guilty to the murder, Koca last month told a Probation Officer that after arriving at his estranged wife's home at Summerhill Drive, he claimed he saw a light on upstairs.

Koca said he believed an intruder was in the house, that he went round to the back garden where he picked up a broken blade from a pair of shears, and when he saw a man coming out the back he panicked, lunged at him and stabbed him once in the leg.

He told Probation that at this point, he lost self-control and cannot recall the sequence of events - but after the attack he fled the scene and ran to Beckett's Bar, disgarding the weapon on the way.

 Eamonn Magee Jnr's mother Mary pictured outside court today
 Eamonn Magee Jnr's mother Mary pictured outside court today  Eamonn Magee Jnr's mother Mary pictured outside court today

Branding these claims as "wholly implausible", the Judge said: "I am satisfied that this was a pre-meditated and planned murder which was both brutal and sustained, and where the intention was to take life."

Mr Justice Treacy spoke of the multiple injuries inflicted on Mr Magee - six stab wounds in total, two of which were to the chest and therefore fatal.

The incident occurred in the rear garden of Ms Ward's home. The mother of Koca's three children, Ms Ward was estranged from her husband and was in new relationship with Mr Magee after meeting him as the gym where he worked as a personal trainer.

The couple - who at the time of the murder had been in a relationship for around two months - ordered pizza. When the engineering student stepped out to check on the delivery at around 2.30am as the driver couldn't find the right address, he was attacked by Koca, who had just finished a shift at


Beckett's Bar.

Eamonn Magee Jnr's mother and father Eamonn and Mary pictured outside court 
Eamonn Magee Jnr's mother and father Eamonn and Mary pictured outside court  Eamonn Magee Jnr's mother and father Eamonn and Mary pictured outside court 

Belfast Crown Court heard that while Koca claimed he used the blade of a broken shear he found in the back garden, it is thought the murder weapon was a large kitchen knife which went missing from Beckett's Bar shortly before the fatal attack.

Despite being rushed to hospital, the promising young boxer died from the wounds he sustained in the unprovoked attack.

During today's sentencing, Mr Justice Treacy said Koca was "very possessive" of his estranged wife and was an "aggressive man" if he thought Ms Ward was attracting the attention of other men. 

Then Judge also pointed out that following their split, Koca would check up on what his ex was doing via Facebook. Koca even set up a fake Facebook profile in a bid to monitor the profiles of both Ms Ward and Mr Magee.

Eamonn Magee Jnr's mother and father Eamonn and  Mary arrive at court today with family and supporters 
Eamonn Magee Jnr's mother and father Eamonn and Mary arrive at court today with family and supporters  Eamonn Magee Jnr's mother and father Eamonn and Mary arrive at court today with family and supporters 

Prior to murdering Mr Magee, Koca had spoken to a friend about his ex-wife's new relationship with a 'boxer called Magee.' Koca also had pictures on his phone of Ms Ward and Mr Magee which he had taken from her Facebook page.

Mr Justice Treacy said that while he rejected Koca's version of events, his guilty plea had saved the Magee family the trauma of a trial. The Judge said it was also clear that at the time of the murder, Koca "clearly" still had feelings for his wife.

Mr Justice Treacy added that at the time of the fatal stabbing Kocan had lost his wife, his home and was a hard-working yet isolated man, and appeared to be a caring father with no family in Northern Ireland - but said these circumstances "are of little weight having regard to the gravity of the crime."

Telling the court "whatever sentence the court imposes, it cannot undo the destruction of the promising young life of Eamonn Magee", the Judge spoke of the impact the murder has had on his family, friends and loved one, paying tribute to the "complete decorum" they have displayed during court proceedings.

Speaking outside court today, Mr Magee's grieving parents Eamonn snr and Mary thanked all those who have supported the family over the two years since the murder.

A statement by the Magee family, which was read by Eamonn snr's brother Noel, said: "We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all those in Ireland and around the world.

"You have shown us so much love and compassion as we struggled to deal with our loss. We have been astounded by the acts of kindness we have encountered in these dark times, often from the most surprising sources.

"We have been hugely comforted by how the community has come to our side. It is very much appreciated by us all and thank you for all of your support."

Also reacting to today's sentencing was Detective Superintendent John McVeigh from the PSNI, who said his thoughts were with Mr Magee's family who he said "are still coming to terms with the loss of their beloved son."

Describing the young victim as a man with a promising future in front of him, both regards boxing and his personal life, the senior police officer he hoped today's sentencing would bring his family "some degree of closure."

Regarding the murder, DS McVeigh said: "This was a pre-meditated murder. This was a pre-planned and a sustained attack.

"We know that Orhan Koca had followed and monitored on social media the activities of Eamonn Magee - Eamonn Magee was in fact the most searched item on his telephone and on the internet.

"We know that he deleted photographs of Eamonn Magee on the night of the murder which he had previously downloaded"

Branding the attack on the deceased as "unprovoked", the policeman continued: "He (Koca) lay in wait in the rear garden of his estranged wife's home and waited for Eamonn to come out and attacked him unprovoked.

"He (Mr Magee) received several stab wounds and unfortunately, despite best attempts, they were fatal injuries.

"I hope today the sentencing handed out will bring some degree of justice to the family."