Urantsetseg Tserendorj's murderer sentenced to life

It's been two years since Urantsetseg Tserendorj, a 48-year-old mother, was horrifically stabbed while walking on her way home. She later died in the hospital on January 20th, nine days after the attack.

Originally from Mongolia, Tserendorj was a mother of two and worked as a cleaner.

Last year, a memorial was held in Dublin at St. Kevin's Church in memory of Tserendorj since she was unable to have a large funeral during the height of COVID.

Hazel Chu, the former Lord Mayor of Dublin, spoke out on behalf of the family conveying thanks for the support. However, as the family remains in mourning, they have requested to be given time to grieve.

Ps. The family has requested time to grieve in private. They will be declining all media request.

It is Mongolian Lunar New Year, Tsagaan Sar, tomorrow. May Urantsetseg's soul find her resting place and may her friends and family find some peace in this new year.

— Hazel Chu (@hazechu) February 20, 2023

Her killer, a now 17-year-old boy, has just been sentenced to life for murder. 14 at the time of the attempted robbery, he was tried last November, although his sentencing was delayed afterwards.

The boy admitted to the murder when gardaí arrived at his home investigating a report of a stolen bicycle. He was also charged with sentences for five other offences committed on the same day, besides that of the bike.

All sentences are backdating to when he first went into custody.

The judge, Mr. Troy Hunt, delayed the sentencing hearing on the grounds to appeal to the Oireachtas about reviewing legislation tied to the 2001 Children's Act.

He claimed that the legislation concerning juveniles convicted of serious crimes had a "yawning gap." This "gap" prevents the mandatory sentence of life in prison for murder from applying to minors.

Either way, as of this month, his sentence has been determined: a life sentence, which will be reviewed in 13 years. Due to the defendant's extremely young age and the nature of the life sentence, he will be only 28 when it goes for review and becomes eligible for a release.

Judge Hunt says that it is one of the "terrible realities" of the case and of the Children's Act, which fail to consider the possibility of individuals under 18 committing serious crimes.

#WATCH A 17-year-old boy has been sentenced to life in detention, to be reviewed after 13 years, for the murder of Urantsetseg Tserendorj in Dublin city two years ago

Courts Correspondent @DebsNaylor reports⤵️#VMNews pic.twitter.com/bTYalx5IT6

— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) February 20, 2023

"Just because they are a small number, they are important and significant and there needs to be a proper way in which the interests of the offender and society ... can be synthesised at all stages of the process," Judge Hunt said.

Under the current act, when Tserendorj's murderer goes for review the judge will have two ultimatums to decide between: immediate release or a real life sentence.

With no middle ground, Hunt says it becomes an "all or nothing" approach lacking any incentive for the young murderer to maintain good behaviour.

Still, Judge Hunt felt encouraged by comments from Simon Harris about possible reforms to the Children's Act, enough to go forth with the sentencing hearing.