Jason Murray sentenced for killing father-of-five Paul Rowlands in Portrush

Sentenced: Jason Murray (left)

Remembered: Paul Rowlands, with his daughter Lucy

Jason Murray has been handed an indeterminate custodial sentence for the manslaughter of 46-year-old Paul Rowlands, who died following an alcohol-fuelled assault in Portrush in July 2022.

The 42-year-old appeared before Belfast Crown Court on Tuesday 8 July, where he was ordered to serve a minimum of eight years in custody before he can be considered for release.

Detective Inspector Claire McGarvey of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said:

“Mr Paul Rowlands, who was 46 years old and from Cambridge, was a much-loved father of five.”

She continued:

“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 on the same day. He later admitted to assaulting Mr Rowlands during an argument but claimed he had left him “alive and well”.

DI McGarvey said the investigation was supported by several witnesses:

“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 suffered a head laceration and extensive bruising. A post mortem confirmed he had died from a brain haemorrhage caused by blunt impact to the head.

DI McGarvey described the incident as:

“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.”

She added:

“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.”

‘Our lives will never be the same’: Family’s heartfelt tribute

Paul Rowlands’ daughter, Leanne, speaking on behalf of the family, shared a moving tribute:

“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.”

She described Paul as a devoted son to his parents, June and Tony, and a “brilliant dad” to his five children:

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

Reflecting on the impact of his absence, she added:

“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.”

Leanne also remembered her father’s personality and the things that brought him joy:

“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.”

She concluded:

“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.”