Two months after Lord Justice O’Hara’s conviction of Gaurdsman David Holden for the death of Aidan, the McAnespie family returned to Laganside Court, Belfast on Friday 27th January 2023 to hear his sentence.
However, at the beginning of the sentencing, Lord Justice O’Hara said he would not be making a judgement that day but rather would be hearing final submissions from both sides of the case.
Speaking outside court, Aidan’s brother Sean said;
“On behalf of the McAnespie family, we found it very difficult there today that we were thinking all through the case that Aidan was the victim, but today it seems that Mr Holden was the victim. There was no word about Aidan over this last 35 years.”
The following week, on Thursday 2nd February 2023, the family returned to hear the sentence imposed. In a disappointing verdict, Lord Justice O’Hara handed Holden a three year sentence suspended for three years, allowing Holden to walk free from court, hiding behind by a face mask from the awaiting press and media.
Sean McAnespie, speaking after the sentencing, said that “nothing takes away from the fact that Mr Holden was found guilty of unlawfully shooting our Aidan”.
“He dragged us through the courts for years. We lost our father and sister in the duration of that. It was like being stopped at the checkpoint every time we came here.”
“We weren’t looking for a pound of flesh. We were just looking for truth and justice. I wouldn’t take away for other families to seek justice.”
Brian Gormley, a cousin of Aidan McAnespie, added: “The most disappointing thing for us is that John, father of Aidan McAnespie, was there at the very start. The most important thing he wanted was to hear the truth. David Holden had ample opportunities in the court case to give an honest version of events of what happened on that day. He didn’t take that opportunity.
Obviously, we are still extremely sad. We miss Aidan every day, but this will give some solace to the family.”
Darragh Mackin, the McAnespie family solicitor of Phoenix Law, said the McAnespie family has “already served a life sentence for Mr Holden’s criminal actions”.
“Whilst Mr Holden might today be able to return to his family, as a result of his criminality, the McAnespie family have been deprived of a brother, a son, an uncle, and a best friend,” he added.
On the 7th November 2023, Holden withdrew a legal challenge to his conviction. At the beginning of the proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Belfast, Holden’s defence counsel informed the three-judge panel that the challenge was being withdrawn.
No further details were disclosed. Lord Justice Treacy then confirmed the appeal against Holden’s conviction was dismissed.