Man who brutally bashed police officer granted parole in shock decision
WARNING: Distressing content
A man who brutally attacked a NSW Police officer with a rock 15 years ago in Kings Cross has been granted parole.
Roderick Holohan was jailed for 21 years in 2010 over the attack on Sergeant Samantha Barlow, who was on her way to work in the early hours of May 13, 2009.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.She sustained a fractured skull, broken nose and neck injuries.
Holohan admitted to the attack and two other offences: an attempted robbery of a woman in Sydney and the robbery of a woman in Wollongong.
On Wednesday, 15 years into his sentence, the State Parole Authority granted Holohan parole.
The authority said it had “diligently considered” reports put forward by Community Corrections and the Serious Offenders Review Council, and expert psychiatric opinion.
“It carefully considered the statement and submission of the victim, Samantha Barlow, and those made on behalf of the Commissioner CSNSW,” it said.
“All the matters raised were given significant weight by the Authority in the balancing exercise that it must undertake.
“The Authority has come to the view that the community safety is better protected by monitoring this offender on a very lengthy period of supervised parole with strict conditions to manage his reintegration and reduce his risk of reoffending.”
The authority added it believes if Holohan was released at the end of his sentence, there would be “no risk mitigation plan in place and no supervision, and the danger posed to community safety would be substantially greater”.
The brutal crime made headlines when Barlow was left for dead on the streets of Kings Cross.
Court documents described how Holohan picked up a rock from a garden bed in the park before approaching Barlow and asking her for the time.
As Barlow stopped and turned, Holohan hit her twice with the rock in the face, before she fell to the ground.
Holohan then hit her two more times at the back of her head, knocking her unconscious.
He then dragged her further into the park “so no one could see her”.
She was left lying in the park, while Holohan ran off with her purse, mobile phone, and shoulder bag.
Barlow suffered “significant injuries” in the attack, the court was told.
Holohan was granted supervised parole on Wednesday, with a list of strict conditions the now 54-year-old must adhere to.
Originally published on 7NEWS
