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Family fury at killer's jail move Family fury at killer's jail move
(about 5 hours later)
The family of a murdered Belfast teenager said they only found out her killer had been transferred to an English jail through the media.The family of a murdered Belfast teenager said they only found out her killer had been transferred to an English jail through the media.
Thomas Purcell was jailed for at least 15 years for the murder of Megan McAlorum on 11 April 2004.Thomas Purcell was jailed for at least 15 years for the murder of Megan McAlorum on 11 April 2004.
He was due to be transferred from a young offenders centre to Maghaberry prison when he turned 21, but he claimed he would be under threat there.He was due to be transferred from a young offenders centre to Maghaberry prison when he turned 21, but he claimed he would be under threat there.
Megan's brother Richard said he was shocked Purcell had been moved.Megan's brother Richard said he was shocked Purcell had been moved.
"We had no inkling it was even in the offing, didn't have any idea at all," he said."We had no inkling it was even in the offing, didn't have any idea at all," he said.
The prison service is considering if there are occasions when it may be appropriate to provide registered victims with additional information over and above their statutory obligations Prison ServiceThe prison service is considering if there are occasions when it may be appropriate to provide registered victims with additional information over and above their statutory obligations Prison Service
"We are all just totally shocked that the Prison Service didn't even give us the courtesy to lift the phone or even send a letter to tell us that this could happen in the coming weeks."We are all just totally shocked that the Prison Service didn't even give us the courtesy to lift the phone or even send a letter to tell us that this could happen in the coming weeks.
"I think it shows that everything is currently being weighted in favour of the guilty.""I think it shows that everything is currently being weighted in favour of the guilty."
It is understood Purcell was moved to a jail in the south of England, near members of his extended family. He will serve the remainder of his sentence there.It is understood Purcell was moved to a jail in the south of England, near members of his extended family. He will serve the remainder of his sentence there.
Richard McAlorum added: "It lessens what was already a meagre sentence, the fact that he's getting moved to what is generally regarded to be a more relaxed environment."Richard McAlorum added: "It lessens what was already a meagre sentence, the fact that he's getting moved to what is generally regarded to be a more relaxed environment."
The area where Megan's body was found Megan McAlorum's body was found in an area of forest
The Prison Service said Purcell had met the relevant criteria for a transfer.The Prison Service said Purcell had met the relevant criteria for a transfer.
In a statement, it said: "Registered victims to Northern Ireland Prison Service Victims' Information Scheme are notified on a range of issues, such as temporary releases or end release dates, in accordance with statutory terms of the scheme.In a statement, it said: "Registered victims to Northern Ireland Prison Service Victims' Information Scheme are notified on a range of issues, such as temporary releases or end release dates, in accordance with statutory terms of the scheme.
"It is normal procedure for the Prison Service to keep rigidly to the terms of the scheme and to refrain from additional contact with victims in order to avoid causing additional upset or stress."It is normal procedure for the Prison Service to keep rigidly to the terms of the scheme and to refrain from additional contact with victims in order to avoid causing additional upset or stress.
"It is a difficult judgement call, but the Prison Service is currently considering if there are occasions when it may be appropriate to provide registered victims with additional information over and above their statutory obligations.""It is a difficult judgement call, but the Prison Service is currently considering if there are occasions when it may be appropriate to provide registered victims with additional information over and above their statutory obligations."
During Purcell's trial, the court heard that he abducted Megan, a former pupil of St Genevieve's, and drove to an isolated forested area just off the Glenside Road in west Belfast on Easter Sunday in 2004.During Purcell's trial, the court heard that he abducted Megan, a former pupil of St Genevieve's, and drove to an isolated forested area just off the Glenside Road in west Belfast on Easter Sunday in 2004.
He had sex with the 16-year-old and then killed her, pretending to discover her partially-clothed body the next day.He had sex with the 16-year-old and then killed her, pretending to discover her partially-clothed body the next day.
The trial judge said he had attacked Megan "with pitiless ferocity and with overwhelming force designed to achieve one object - namely her death".The trial judge said he had attacked Megan "with pitiless ferocity and with overwhelming force designed to achieve one object - namely her death".