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Family angry at attacker's flight Family angry at attacker's flight
(about 2 hours later)
The brother of a man left brain damaged after a hammer attack has said he is "disgusted" the man jailed for the crime has gone missing.The brother of a man left brain damaged after a hammer attack has said he is "disgusted" the man jailed for the crime has gone missing.
Barry Kevin Donegan Moyna, 22, did not return to Maghaberry jail on Thursday after getting compassionate leave following the death of a brother.Barry Kevin Donegan Moyna, 22, did not return to Maghaberry jail on Thursday after getting compassionate leave following the death of a brother.
He was serving eight years for grievous bodily harm for a 2003 hammer attack on Maurice McCracken, 59.He was serving eight years for grievous bodily harm for a 2003 hammer attack on Maurice McCracken, 59.
His brother, Robert, said the family was not told Moyna was to be let out.His brother, Robert, said the family was not told Moyna was to be let out.
"I feel that the people who allowed that to happen should be held accountable as far as our family is concerned the sentence was far too short anyway - it's ridiculous," he told Radio Ulster's Nolan programme."I feel that the people who allowed that to happen should be held accountable as far as our family is concerned the sentence was far too short anyway - it's ridiculous," he told Radio Ulster's Nolan programme.
"And now it is so easy for someone to get out like that, without being accompanied or being tagged - and who is to say he won't commit a crime like that again."And now it is so easy for someone to get out like that, without being accompanied or being tagged - and who is to say he won't commit a crime like that again.
"Anyone who has any conscience at all should realise how much of a distress that would be for the immediate family, I mean we have to live with this.""Anyone who has any conscience at all should realise how much of a distress that would be for the immediate family, I mean we have to live with this."
The Prison Service said Moyna is due for release in June and a full risk assessment was carried out.The Prison Service said Moyna is due for release in June and a full risk assessment was carried out.
'Awful position''Awful position'
An MP has also expressed anger that the family was not told one of his assailants was out on parole.An MP has also expressed anger that the family was not told one of his assailants was out on parole.
South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell the family had been put in an "awful position".South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell the family had been put in an "awful position".
"I understand there has been no serious effort to take that family's feelings into account," he said."I understand there has been no serious effort to take that family's feelings into account," he said.
"I understand there was no effort to indicate to the family, that this prisoner, who had inflicted such horrific injuries on the father... was going to be released on parole.""I understand there was no effort to indicate to the family, that this prisoner, who had inflicted such horrific injuries on the father... was going to be released on parole."
Mr McCracken was assaulted as he lay in his bed at Strangford Avenue in March 2003. He suffered permanent brain damage.Mr McCracken was assaulted as he lay in his bed at Strangford Avenue in March 2003. He suffered permanent brain damage.
Moyna is described as being 5ft 5in, of medium build with brown hair and brown eyes.Moyna is described as being 5ft 5in, of medium build with brown hair and brown eyes.
His brother, Gerard Michael Donegan, was also found guilty of involvement in the attack and is currently serving a 15-year sentence for attempted murder.His brother, Gerard Michael Donegan, was also found guilty of involvement in the attack and is currently serving a 15-year sentence for attempted murder.