Father's outrage as firework killer is sentenced

Apr 3 2009

THE FATHER of a man killed when his pal launched a firework into his flat has spoken of his heartache.

And Alexander Keenan says he is outraged after his son’s killer was jailed for less than four years.

Former soldier Jason McAnally pleaded guilty to culpable homicide after the tragedy in Mill Street in November last year, in which Shaun Keenan was killed.

This week at the High Court in Edinburgh, McAnally was jailed for 40 months.

Alexander said: “This sentence is terrible, I was hoping he would get a lot more.

“McAnally could be out by next Christmas. I can’t understand it, this is not justice.

“I’ll never get my son back.”

Alexander, who suffers from heart problems, added: “This has had a terrible effect on all our lives.”

Shaun, 21, was a roofer and moved to the Mill Street flat in Ayr weeks before his death.

The young dad had lived with his mum Eleanor and brother Mark, 20, in Coylton beforehand.

Shaun and McAnally were childhood friends and went to school together.

Their friendship had been renewed when McAnally left the forces and returned to Ayrshire.

McAnally set off the rocket in the early hours of November 9 in a bid to wake Shaun and get him to join a party.

The court heard how McAnally said that he “didn’t even flinch” at the time and added that Shaun would “go mental about his carpet.”

McAnally had put the firework under a pot to stop it bouncing about.

But 40 minutes later, McAnally returned to Shaun’s flat and realised it was well alight.

Fire crews found Shaun beneath a bedroom window and he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Judge Lord Uist said: “The victim’s family have been devastated by his death.

“The reason why you set off this firework was to attempt to rouse your friend from a deeply drunken sleep.

“I accept you intended no harm to your friend. Nevertheless, your conduct was grossly irresponsible, highly dangerous and criminal in nature, and the fact you had drunk a lot of alcohol is no excuse in law.”

He said he accepted that McAnally had shown remorse, but added: “I am satisfied only a significant prison sentence is required to mark the gravity of the crime which you committed and its fatal consequences.”

The judge said he would have jailed the killer for five years for the offence, but the sentence would be reduced following McAnally’s guilty plea.

McAnally, of Spruce House in Prestwick, at one stage faced a murder allegation, but earlier admitted a reduced charge of culpable homicide.