South Belfast man jailed for life after admitting mother's murder

By Ashleigh McDonald

A south Belfast man who admitted murdering his mother has been handed a life sentence.

23 year old Jordan Kennedy, from Haywood Avenue appeared at Belfast Crown Court today where he pleaded guilty to the murder of his 39-year old mother.

Emma Jane McParland was found fatally stabbed at her flat off Ormeau Road last April.

Although no details surrounding Ms McParland's death were mentioned today, a previous hearing was told she sustained fatal stab wounds in her flat off the Ormeau Road.

Following Kennedy's guilty plea, barristers for both the Crown and defence said they would provide written submissions ahead of sentencing.

These submissions will include medical reports on Kennedy and Victim Impact Statements from Ms McParland's family.

Mr Justice O'Hara said he would hear the plea on February 4 next year.

The Judge then addressed the defendant and said: "Mr Kennedy, you have pleaded guilty to the murder of your mother Emma Jane McParland on the 22nd of April 2020.

"In law, the sentence which I have to impose on you for murder is a sentence of life imprisonment - and I impose that sentence now.

"There will be a hearing on the 4th of February and the purpose of that hearing is for me to hear a plea of mitigation on your behalf and to consider any other relevant matters which are brought to my attention, so that I can impose on you the minimum period of time which you have  to serve in prison before you become eligible to be considered for release.

"That will be the next stage in the process, with the hearing on the 4th of February, and I will give a decision at some point soon after that.

"Your life sentence which you must serve and which I must impose on you for the murder on the 22nd of April 2020 is imposed now."

When Mr Justice O'Hara asked Kennedy "is that understood?", he replied "yes" and was then  remanded back into custody.

Emma Jane McParland