Man sentenced for 'senseless' Portrush manslaughter

A MAN appeared before Belfast Crown Court today (Tuesday 8 July) for the manslaughter of father-of-five Paul Rowlands in Portrush in July 2022.

Jason Murray (42) was given an indeterminate sentence for which he will serve a minimum of eight years in custody before he is considered for release.

Detective Inspector Claire McGarvey said: “Mr Paul Rowlands, who was 46 years old and from Cambridge, was a much-loved father of five.

“Paul had been on an extended stay in Portrush from the beginning of June 2022, and was planning to return to England at the end of July.

“Following a report to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Paul was found injured and unresponsive in the Bath Terrace area of Portrush in the early hours of Monday 18 July in 2022. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

“Jason Murray was arrested that Monday evening. Murray later admitted to assaulting Paul during an argument, but maintained he had left him alive and well.”

Detective Inspector McGarvey continued: “We’re grateful to those witnesses who came forward to support our investigation. A number of witnesses, who saw the two men in and around the area on Sunday 17 July, described both consuming alcohol and arguing. Another gave an account of the actual attack, describing how the defendant assaulted the victim while he lay vulnerable on the ground.

“Mr Rowlands sustained heavy bruising to his ear and a laceration to the side of his head.  A post mortem examination confirmed that, tragically, he died from a brain haemorrhage caused by blunt impact to the head.”

She added: “This was the most senseless and tragic loss of a man’s life, in an attack fuelled by alcohol. Here, a verbal altercation followed by physical blows has had the most devastating and irreversible of consequences.

“Working with the Public Prosecution Service, the defendant has now been held accountable. At the same time, Paul’s family have suffered unimaginably and I’m deeply aware that their heartache goes on. My thoughts, and that of my team, remain with them.”

In a statement after the sentencing hearing, Paul's daughter Leanne Rowlands said: “Dad was at the heart of our big family. He was a father, son, brother, uncle and grandfather – and he was loved by us all, more than I can say.

“He was the most loving son to his mum and dad, June and Tony. And, in turn, he was a brilliant dad to me and my four younger siblings, Lucy, Ria, Laura and Ryan.

“Dad was our rock, and his cruel and untimely death has turned our worlds upside down. Our lives will never be the same again.

“Paul’s granddaughter was just 10 months old when his life was taken, and there’s a new grandson in the world now too. They’ll never have the joy of knowing their grandad and, believe me, he would simply have adored and spoilt them both.

“We remember his warmth and brilliant sense of humour.  He was quiet to the outside world but, to us, he was great fun.

“He loved ‘Doctor Who’ and Man United, and we all remember his sweet tooth! He always had a little stash of chocolates down the side of the sofa, supposedly just for him but he would always share them with us kids. He loved us, his nieces and nephews too, more than anything in the world.

“The last three years have been so hard for us all and, while the sentence has now been passed, I know we have sad days ahead. Nothing will bring this gentle soul back.

“My family would like to thank the Police Service for their support right throughout this investigation. And we’re keen to thank everyone for words and acts of kindness, which have honestly meant so much.”