February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Ray O’Hanlon
A Queens man was sentenced to 18 years in prison last week for the 1998 killing of Kilkenny native Francis O’Loughlin.
Miguel Valerio’s formal sentencing had been adjourned from earlier this year but took place last Thursday in the Queens criminal courthouse.
O’Loughlin, who at 32 was the same age as Valerio is now, died from a single shot to the back of the head in the early hours of Sept. 5, 1998.
The shooting took place after an argument broke out between O’Loughlin and Valerio concerning O’Loughlin’s girlfriend, who worked behind the bar at the Mad Ass Tavern in Long Island City.
At one point, Valerio, who worked as a porter in the bar, left the premises only to return after an hour to resume drinking.
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Valerio, who was carrying a gun, followed O’Loughlin into the men’s bathroom and shot him.
O’Loughlin was rushed to hospital and was on life support for a time before he was pronounced dead.
Valerio, who lived in the Corona section of Queens, fled New York but was arrested in Delaware two years ago. He subsequently pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter.
The 18-year term was handed down in court on Thursday, June 20, by Judge Robert Hanophy.
Valerio must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
O’Loughlin had been working as a carpenter at the time of his death. He was planning to save up enough money in order to return to Ireland and open his own business.