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‘URGE TO KILL’

I fear strangler O’Hara will kill me if he’s released, he will always be a danger to women, says victim’s sister

• Published: 7:00, 27 Dec 2023

THE heartbroken sister of a woman who was strangled by evil killer Gerard O’Hara has told how she feels he will be a “threat to her life” if he’s let out of jail.

Angela Doyle Stuart —  whose sister Lisa Doyle, 24, was brutally murdered at her home in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow —  declared: “He will always be a danger to women.”

She spoke out as O’Hara, who was caged for life, prepares for his third bid for parole in 2024.

O’Hara choked his fiancé with his arm before taking a shoelace from his right shoe and strangling her on September, 20, 2009.

After his arrest, he told cops about his “urge to kill”.

Although Lisa had been devoted to O’Hara and had spent her last night talking about their upcoming wedding, he continued with his sick fantasy to murder someone.

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Four years before Lisa’s murder, he also tried to strangle another person but the woman managed to push him off her before he fled.

O’Hara kept his first attempt to kill a secret, with details of the incident only emerging when the victim came forward to Gardai after he had murdered Lisa.

As the killer prepares to bring his case to the Parole Board in the new year, Angela told of her fears he could target her.

At present, those convicted of murder in Ireland normally spend around 18 to 20 years in prison in the absence of minimum tariffs.

Angela said: “I personally feel Ger O’Hara is a threat to my life. It’s only now I’m really getting somewhat to grips with what happened to Lisa and to think he could be out in less than three years is shocking.

“It’s obvious from his attempts on another girl’s life that he has that need to kill. If you could harm and murder someone like Lisa, then I believe no one is safe when he’s out.

“Lisa was the most incredible, kind, beautiful person you could ever meet. Everyone who knew Lisa would tell you this.

“Lisa didn’t do conflict, you cannot find a person out there that would say a bad word about Lisa because she was kindness personified.”

Angela added: “So if you can kill the very person who only loved you, wanted a life with you, wanted a family with you, who only had eyes for you and spoke only of how they loved you, then what hope has anyone else on your path?

“There was an opportunity to get help. He said it himself — he always knew one day he’d do something bad. Well, if I thought for a second I would hurt or harm another I’d lock myself up or get all the help available.

‘HE’S NOT SORRY’

“Instead, he lived with the knowledge that he would or could at any time act on that compulsion and he did. 

“He’s not sorry for what he did and I believe he got the greatest high out of it.

“He strangled Lisa and then to make sure she wasn’t surviving he got a lace from his shoe and continued to ensure Lisa wasn’t going to live. I no longer am aware of what he does or says in prison nor did I or do I care.”

Following Lisa’s murder, O’Hara arrived at Leighlinbridge Garda Station at 6am and told the guard at the public office: “I have done a terrible thing to Lisa.”

And during his time in the Garda station, the sadistic killer produced a letter stating he “could never explain” why he took the young woman’s life. 

Angela said of his actions after the murder: “He then constructed a letter written in perfect handwriting and tried to imply he was somewhat insane.

‘HE DIDN’T CARE’

“I believe he knew what sentence he would serve and I also believe he didn’t care. I do not believe that he is suffering in prison. I understand he has his Xbox there, he has his pocket money, meals served up daily and laundry looked after.

“He’s not desperate and I don’t believe for a second he’s unhappy. He’s not mourning Lisa because he was incapable of ever loving Lisa. Love doesn’t harm another or destroy love or lives — that’s evil.

“O’Hara is evil and I will not be silent when his release day comes.

“Lisa may not have her voice heard but I will speak for my sister and I will not be silenced. Not only will I speak for Lisa but I’ll use my voice for others too.”

Angela is part of the Sentencing and Victims Equality group which was established by grieving families to address the issue of parole in Ireland and to call for minimum tariffs to be introduced.

As part of their efforts to help other victims, the group is also planning to hold an online monthly meeting to provide assistance and support to families whose loved ones were lost through violence.

‘THOUGHTS ABOUT KILLING SOMEONE’

Former Detective Garda Brendan Murphy, who led the investigation into the case, also believes Lisa was the victim of coercive control.

The retired officer told The Irish Sun: “I interviewed him for two days and he told me he had these thoughts about killing someone.

“He killed the person who had shown so much love to him by deliberately taking out his shoelace and strangling her.

“Lisa was an easy target for him because she trusted him and would never have known what his intentions were.

“If he has engaged with the psychiatric services available to him in prison, then I hope that when he comes out he will be a changed man.

“But if he hasn’t received any help, then he will simply come out as he went in — harbouring thoughts of killing people.”

‘COERCIVE CONTROL’

Angela also added: “Lisa was the only one earning an income and she paid for everything.

“Her work colleagues told us she never would go for lunch and never had money on her and this has all the hallmarks of coercive control.