A RELATIVE of a teenager murdered and left in a field four years ago remembered a “gentle, quiet boy” as his murderer was give a life sentence in prison.
Cameron Reilly (18) was killed by Aaron Connolly in Co Louth in 2018, a jury found earlier this month.
During the sentencing hearing yesterday at Dublin’s Central Criminal Court, Mr Reilly’s uncle Darren Flanagan read a victim impact statement on behalf of the family.
He described the teenager as “gentle, quiet boy who was a joy to be around” and “so much than than a name in the media".
"He was a son, a grandson, a nephew and a cousin and he deserves to be remembered for that,” Mr Flanagan said. “Our beautiful boy, forever 18."
Connolly (23)of Williistown, Drumcar, had denied murdering the young man after a night of drinking with a group of people near Dunleer.
The trial heard the group, including Mr Reilly, left around midnight to buy food from a takeaway.
Connolly and Mr Reilly later returned to the field, where the teenager's body was found the following morning, the court heard.
The jury was told he died from asphyxiation following pressure on the neck.
Connolly claimed following his arrest in connection with the death he and and Mr Reilly parted at the end of the night.
But his DNA was found on the teenager's body. After this evidence was delivered, Connolly told the court there had been sexual activity between the two.
