The inquest into the death of Michael Hoolickin has today been adjourned.
Michael Hoolickin, a young father aged 27, sadly died on 17th October 2016 having been murdered outside a pub in Middleton, Manchester. He was trying to prevent an assault on a woman.
The inquest is exploring the National Probation Service’s supervision of the offender, who was out on licence at the time of Michael’s murder.
Michael’s parents, Garry and Lesley Hoolickin said:
“For almost two years we as a family have been fighting for answers as to how our Michael’s life was taken by an offender who was supposed to be supervised in the community by probation.
“We started the inquest yesterday, thinking that we would finally understand exactly just what happened in the probation service which meant that the offender was still out on licence and had not been recalled to prison at the time of the murder.
“Today the inquest was adjourned so that the coroner can get further evidence. This delay is upsetting but our fight for answers won’t stop now.
“We heard today in court that there may be other cases in which other families have lost their loved ones in circumstances where other offenders were out on licence and being supervised by the same local probation service. Our hearts go out to those families.
“We have always said that we are doing this for our Michael and to make sure that the same thing does not happen to any other family. We hope that this process will lead to changes in the supervision and management of high risk offenders locally and nationally”
Kelly Darlington said:
“The family are understandably disappointed that the inquest process will not be concluded this week, as they had expected. However, they recognise the importance of all avenues of inquiry being explored to ensure that the inquest provides them with the answers they deserve”.
The family is represented by Kelly Darlington of Farleys Solicitors LLP and Una Morris of Garden Court Chambers.
