Mother's agony after her own father pleads guilty to murdering her fiancé - as she brands him a 'coward' and refuses to call him 'dad'

Source: Mail Online

Published: Nov, 29 2024 11:56

A mother-of-four has spoken of her terrible grief after her own father was convicted of murdering her 'kind and caring' fiancé in a powerful victim impact statement. Linda Simon branded army veteran Luke Simon - who earlier admitted killing Irishman Damien Conlon - a 'coward' as she told a court in Australia how his actions have 'robbed' her children of a father's love.

Image Credit: Mail Online [Recalling how she met Damien, a carpenter who first moved to Australia in 2011, in 2019, Linda said the pair had an instant spark and she knew early on that he was 'the one'.]

Damien was shot dead by Simon, 57, at his home in Oberon in New South Wales, Australia, on February 9, 2023. Linda delivered her statement before Justice Sarah McNaughton at Sydney Supreme Court on November 7, ahead of Simon's sentencing early next year.

Image Credit: Mail Online [Linda and Damien shared two children together, two-year-old Mason and 11-month-old Elias, with Damien also a loving stepfather to Linda's sons from her previous relationship, Brodie and Joseph]

Overcome with grief, she urged the judge to 'give us peace of mind that we do not have to live in fear of Luke walking the streets and having to see him' and said she feels a 'tremendous amount of survivor's guilt' in the wake of Damien's death. During the trial, the court heard how Simon 'lured' Damien to his house under false pretenses and told him to 'get on your knees and confess; before shooting the 38-year-old.

Image Credit: Mail Online [The Ireland native emigrated to Australia 12 years ago, with Damien receiving his citizenship in 2021]

Damien escaped from the house but only made it to the garden where Simon allegedly shot him in the head and said 'bye-bye Damien' as he did so, according to Australian news outlet Western Advocate. Simon confessed to Damian's murder in August when he appeared before Sydney Supreme Court via video link.

Image Credit: Mail Online [John is survived by Linda, their two sons, his parents Dermot and Ethel, brothers John and Philip, and sister Leanna]

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Mother's agony after her own father pleads guilty to murdering her fiancé - as she brands him a 'coward' and refuses to call him 'dad'

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