In 2001, 12-year-old Stephen Hughes was sleeping overnight in a den near his home. The den was set on fire and Stephen died.
In June of this year, Dermot Griffen was found guilty of manslaughter for setting the den on fire, causing Stephen's death thirteen years ago. The father of four was found guilty of manslaughter following a three week trial.
This morning, Stephen's mother, Elizabeth Hughes, broke her silence after 13 years to speak about the death of her son and the case which followed.
When asked about how she felt about the Griffen, Elizabeth replied: “Absolute hatred, he took my child away from me. He took my sunshine away from me. He took my daughter’s brother away. My sons’ brother away. He took my little boy.
“He never showed any remorse. I’ve never received an apology."
Talking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk, Mrs. Hughes also detailed the impact Stephen's death had on the family:
