Inquest resumes into the death of Michael Hoolickin

Michael Hoolickin's inquest will resume this week

The inquest into the death of Michael Hoolickin will take place at 10am on Wednesday 9 January 2019 at Heywood Coroner’s Court in front of HM Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley and is expected to last three days (9 -11 January 2019).

Michael Hoolickin, a young father aged 27, died on 17 October 2016 after being stabbed outside a pub in Middleton whilst trying to prevent an assault on a woman.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/105734/man-arrested-on-suspicion-of-murder-after-middleton-stabbing-victim-dies

Timothy Deakin was later convicted of Michael’s murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/109310/family-of-michael-hoolickin-have-paid-tribute-to-him-after-his-killer-timothy-deakin-was-jailed-for-life

The inquest was halted last year as Deakin was on licence at the time of the stabbing and was under the supervision of the National Probation Service.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/119623/inquest-for-young-father-abruptly-halted

The Coroner has ruled that the inquest into Michael’s death engages Article 2 (right to life) of the European Convention on Human Rights, and will therefore examine the full circumstances of his death. Significantly, the inquest is exploring the National Probation Service’s supervision of Deakin and whether he was supervised appropriately.

Evidence is due to be heard during the inquest from a number of senior probation officers and an independent probation expert.

The family is represented by Kelly Darlington of Farleys Solicitors LLP and Anna Morris of Garden Court Chambers.