Stephen McKinney jailed for 20 years minimum for murdering wife Lu Na

Q Radio News and PA

A man found guilty of murdering his wife during a holiday in Fermanagh will serve at least 20 years in prison.

Stephen McKinney (45) was found guilty earlier this year of murdering his wife, Lu Na McKinney, in April 2017.

Her body was recovered from Lough Erne beside a jetty in 2017.

The couple had moored on Devenish Island during a boating holiday with their children.

They had been living in Donegal prior to the murder.

At Belfast Crown Court today, Justice Denise McBride jailed McKinney, originally from Strabane in Co Tyrone but most recently of Castletown Square, Fintona, for life and said he should serve a minimum term of 20 years before being considered for release.

The judge called the murder “the most heinous” crime and said it had been premeditated and carefully planned.

She told McKinney:

“You abused, degraded her and manipulated and controlled her and finally you took away her life.

“It was such a needless and cruel action.

"You were someone that she should have been able to trust but you betrayed that position and you ended her life prematurely.”

The judge focused in particular on the presence of the children that night, who she said were “not present by accident but design as the defendant sought cynically to use his children’s presence to throw suspicion away from him for the murder he intended to commit”.

She added: “You denied her the opportunity of seeing her children grow up.

“You have left a trail of destruction in your wake.

“Two young children have been deprived of their mother’s love, care and support.

“As a result of your action you have left the children without parents to care for them and their lives have been irreparably adversely affected.”

McKinney shouted as he was led away and continued to plead his innocence.

He has always maintained that his wife had fallen into the water and he had tried to save her.

But the judge said the murder was the culmination of coercive, controlling behaviour throughout their marriage.

The family of La Na McKinney said the judicial process "has brought us some justice" but "we will never get over our loss".

"As a family, we have endured four very difficult years, made more difficult living so far away from the investigation and trial.

"We are thankful that Lu Na had so many people fighting for her.

"We appreciate the dedication that was shown by the investigation team who worked on this case and provided our family with detailed updates as the case progressed.

"The outcome of this court process has brought us some justice, it does not change the fact that Lu Na was so cruelly taken from us and we will never be able to see her, talk to her or for Lu Na to be part of our family celebrations.

"We will never get over our loss.  

"We all love Lu Na and will miss her forever."  

Speaking following sentencing, Detective Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team said his thoughts were with La Na's children and family "whose suffering and loss will live with them for the rest of their lives".

“I know today’s sentencing will never bring Lu Na back, however, I hope this outcome brings some sort of comfort to her family. 

“Stephen McKinney thought he had silenced Lu Na, he hadn’t - police spoke for her and found justice.” 

Describing domestic violence as a "terrifying" crime that can leave those being abused feeling "isolated, vulnerable and frightened", DS Corrigan urged anyone in that situation to seek help by contacting police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

“A 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline is also available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual abuse, now or in the past, the number for which is 0808 802 1414.”

The senior officer said other organisations that help people suffering domestic abuse include Women’s Aid, Rainbow Project, Men’s Advisory Project and Men’s Alliance.

You can find more information at https://www.psni.police.uk/crime/domestic-abuse/who-can-help-me

A man found guilty of murdering his wife during a holiday in Fermanagh will serve at least 20 years in prison. 45 year old Stephen McKinney, originally from Strabane murdered his wife, Lu Na McKinney, in April 2017. Here’s DS Eamonn Corrigan of the PSNI: pic.twitter.com/dX9IhwZP5b

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 25, 2021

(Stephen McKinney has been told he will serve a minimum of 20 years for murdering his wife, Lu Na)