Couple sentenced over ‘brutal and savage’ death of father of four

PSNI Detective Inspector Claire McGarvey speaking outside Dungannon Court House after the sentencing of Niall Cox for the murder and Karen Marie McDonald for the manslaughter of Pat Ward. Also speaking is two of Mr Ward's four children, Tom Ward and Leonie Ward, as well as his wife Ellen Ward.Mr Ward died after being seriously assaulted with a number of weapons before being stripped and dragged into an alleyway and left to die in Clogher, Co Tyrone, in February 2019.At Dungannon Crown Court, Cox, 28, of McCrea Park in Clogher, was told he must serve at least 20 years in prison for the murder before he can be considered for release.McDonald, 37, of the same address, was sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter, with five years to be served in custody.Cox had initially denied murder but later changed his plea, while McDonald was convicted of manslaughter at trial earlier this year.Also includes CCTV footage showing Niall Cox returning to the house after dragging Mr Ward's body into the alleyway.