RONNIE DUNBAR'S SHOCKING SENTENCE IN SLIGO: TEENAGE VICTIM MELISSA MAHON'S TRAGIC END

In July 2009, Ronnie Dunbar, also known as Ronald McManus, faced a life-altering sentence in a Sligo court for the tragic death of 14-year-old Melissa Mahon. Dunbar showed no visible emotion as Judge Barry White delivered the maximum penalty permissible under the law, a life imprisonment, for his involvement in the young girl’s death.

Clad in a dark blue tracksuit, with his numerous tattoos concealed, Dunbar’s physique was reminiscent of a former bodybuilder, now somewhat diminished with age. During the trial, the court revealed the full extent of his tattoos, including a blue cross on his neck, the words 'Mum and Dad' on his forearm, and a screaming skull that he had once told his daughters could ward off demons and ghosts that frightened them at night.

Melissa’s closest sister, Leanna Mahon, had quietly slipped into the back of the courtroom as proceedings commenced. She was the only member of the Mahon family present to witness the sentencing. Her expression was one of shock as the sentence was announced, and she left the court without engaging with the press gathered outside.

Earlier that week, Judge White criticized the victim impact statement prepared by Melissa’s mother, Mary Mahon, describing it as “disingenuous in the extreme.” Mrs. Mahon had expressed profound grief, revealing that she had suffered severe depression since her daughter’s disappearance and had even attempted to overdose on tablets. She also detailed how two of her other daughters had struggled with the loss, resorting to self-harm and attempting suicide. In her statement, she wrote, “My life is gone. Our whole life has been torn apart by the loss of our baby Melissa.”

During the sentencing, Judge White also addressed the issue of Mrs. Mahon’s cooperation with the Gardaí. She had repeatedly told authorities that Melissa was in England but refused to provide further details, which the judge noted as a failure to fully assist in the search for her daughter.

Outside the Four Courts on the following Monday, Melissa’s parents expressed their anger and frustration. Mary Mahon insisted that she had always believed Melissa was at the Dunbar residence, stating, “She never left this country, she’s after dying here.” Her husband, Freddie Mahon, echoed her sentiments, criticizing the judge’s comments and claiming that the police had misrepresented the situation.

Judge White clarified that his remarks about Mrs. Mahon’s statements did not extend to Melissa’s siblings, acknowledging the impact her death had on them. He emphasized that victim impact statements must be made in good faith, warning that false or misleading statements could undermine the justice process, harm victims, and impede the pursuit of truth.

Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Mahon was present in court to witness Dunbar’s sentencing. The judge described the case as one of those “rare and exceptional occasions” where a life sentence was justified for a manslaughter conviction. He stated that no mitigating factors could justify reducing the sentence, as Dunbar had not pleaded guilty to manslaughter, had not cooperated with authorities, and had shown no remorse. Furthermore, Dunbar’s criminal record included 13 previous convictions for theft, assault, burglary, and drug possession, although none of these were recent.

Throughout the trial, Judge White observed Dunbar’s demeanor, describing him as disdainful, scornful, and borderline contemptuous of the proceedings. His defense counsel, Brendan Grehan, reportedly found him a difficult client. The judge also condemned Dunbar’s handling of Melissa’s body, stating that he disposed of her remains in a manner unworthy of an animal, which prevented the State Pathologist from conducting a proper post-mortem.

Because of the manner in which Melissa’s body was disposed of, the cause of her death could not be established, leading the jury to find Dunbar not guilty of murder. Dunbar, aged 44, who also went by the name Ronald McManus and resided in Rathbraughan Park, Sligo, was convicted in May after a six-week trial. Evidence presented during the proceedings revealed that Melissa had become acquainted with Dunbar after befriending two of his daughters at the Mercy Convent school in Sligo.

Judge White described Melissa as “a disturbed, fragile and vulnerable child,” who was known to frequently run away from home and had accused her parents of abuse. Her proximity to the Dunbar household, just a short walk away, led her to spend much of her time there. Testimony indicated that she referred to Dunbar as her “dad” and looked up to him. Dunbar had even persuaded Melissa to move into the Lios Na nOg care home in Sligo, where she kept a photograph of him under her pillow.

The HSE became increasingly concerned about her close relationship with the Dunbar family, ultimately obtaining a court order that prohibited Dunbar from any further contact with Melissa. During sentencing, Judge White stated, “You were old enough to be her father. You preyed upon her fragility and vulnerability.”

There were allegations during the trial that Melissa was pregnant and involved in a sexual relationship with Dunbar, but these claims could not be conclusively proven. As a result, the court accepted that Dunbar was entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

Melissa Mahon disappeared on September 14, 2006. The last confirmed sighting was around midday when two staff members from Lios Na nOg saw her walking toward Rathbraughan Park. During the trial, Dunbar’s two younger daughters provided conflicting accounts of what happened to Melissa after that point. Both agreed that she had been hiding in Rathbraughan Park and that their father was responsible for her death, which he had carried out in his bedroom.

They also testified that they accompanied their father to dispose of Melissa’s body in an isolated area along the River Bonnet. Her remains, wrapped in a sleeping bag and tied with one of Dunbar’s ties, were discovered nearly 18 months later on the shores of Lough Gill, after her body had been dumped in this remote location.