THE FAMILY OF A MAN WHO died after being assaulted by a man who was unlawfully at large has said it will be taking legal action.

Yesterday, Martin McDonagh, 24, of Mostrim Oaks, Ballymahon Road, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, was sentenced to five years for assaulting Marie and Noel Keegan in December, 2009.

Marie Keegan had warned McDonagh during the assault that her husband suffered from a heart condition, but McDonagh proceeded to punch Noel Keegan again. Keegan, 58, died shortly after the attack.

McDonagh was supposed to be serving a four-year prison sentence for assaulting and stabbing a man in the leg with a pitchfork when he attacked the couple. The court heard that the attack on the Keegans was unprovoked, according to the Longford Leader.

RTÉ reports that Keegan’s family received apologies from Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, gardaí and the court services regarding the state’s failures in the events leading to Keegan’s death.

Keegan is survived by his wife, Marie, four daughters and one son. A solicitor for the family says they intend to pursue legal action following yesterday’s ruling.