A drug addict who hit a police officer with a brick and left her for dead has been released from prison despite officials admitting he is at high risk of reoffending.
Roderick Holohan was on parole for several violent offenses when he hit then-Sergeant Samantha Barlow on the head as she walked to work in Sydney’s Kings Cross in May 2009.
He was sentenced to spend a maximum of more than 19 years in prison after the attack, during which he stole Ms. Barlow’s purse, phone and purse while she believed the officer was dead, and stole $200 for a dose of heroin.
When he attacked Mrs Barlow, Holohan was on parole for two other horrific attacks on women.
Two weeks ago, the New South Wales State Parole Authority ordered Holohan released before the end of November, arguing it would be better for him to be monitored in the community than left unsupervised when he served his full sentence.
Ms Barlow, who survived the attack despite Holohan dragging her out of sight while she was unconscious, has revealed she was not initially told about her attacker’s parole hearing.
That revelation led Premier Chris Minns to herald changes to ensure greater transparency for crime victims when considering parole.
The savage blow shattered part of her skull, leading to 22 months of exhaustive rehabilitation.
The former officer told the parole authority that the crimes committed by the heroin addict changed her life, forcing her to quit her police job at age 37 and leaving her with lifelong injuries.
He heard evidence about Holohan’s poor behavior in prison and his high risk of reoffending, although NSW Correctional Services recommended his release.
Sergeant Samantha Barlow (pictured) was on her way to work in the nightlife district in 2009 when she was attacked by Roderick Holohan, who fractured her skull, nose and injured her neck.
Roderick Holohan photographed during his trial in 2010
“While it is concerning that he has engaged in further institutional misconduct, it is noted that his behavior has improved significantly since his last parole consideration,” one evaluation said.
The probation authority took into account the impact of the attack on Mrs Barlow but said the risks of reoffending were outweighed by the fact that Holohan’s rehabilitation had stalled behind bars.
“There is no evidence to suggest that if the offender remains in custody, any of those factors are likely to experience any positive change,” the authority said.
It was important to remember that Holohan would have no risk mitigation plan if he was not released until the end of his sentence, as he would not be supervised, it said.
“In that case, he would be left to his own devices to manage his reintegration into the community, without any level of support of any kind, after having been incarcerated for almost 20 years,” the authority said.
Holohan’s parole conditions include attendance at a program for violent offenders, limits on where he can go in New South Wales and a complete ban on drugs.