Fiancee of murdered Irishman Damien Conlon brands killer father 'a coward' and calls for justice

The fiancée of Irish man Damien Conlon, who was murdered by her father in Australia last year, has said his "cold, callous and calculated actions" have robbed her of her partner and dad to her sons.

Damien Conlon, 38, who was originally from Summerhill Village in Co Sligo, was shot dead following an incident at Luke Simon’s home in New South Wales in February 2023.

Despite the efforts of paramedics to save his life, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

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Luke Simon, 58, the father of Damien’s devoted fiancée Linda, was subsequently charged with his murder.

Mr Simon appeared before Sydney Supreme Court via video link in August where he admitted fatally shooting Mr Conlon.

He is due to be sentenced for the murder of Mr Conlon later.

On November 7, Linda delivered her powerful Victim Impact Statement in front of Justice Sarah McNaughton at Sydney Supreme Court where 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."

The Victim Impact Statement has been shared with The Irish Mirror by Linda.

Linda, who has four boys - two of whom are Damien’s - also said her father has harmed her children in a way that can never be repaired by murdering their father and stepfather.

"It has inflicted a trauma upon them that we as a family are trying to lessen and repair," Linda said.

She says her father’s "cold, callous and calculated actions took away a son, a father, a brother, a loving partner and a good friend to many from this world - his name was Damien Conlon, my fiancé and father to my two youngest boys."

Linda said she feels "a tremendous amount of survivor's guilt" for not being there with Damien when he was murdered.

"Damien died alone, cold and scared," said Linda.

"I feel a tremendous amount of survivor’s guilt for not being there with Damien, who was so protective, kind and loving."

Addressing her father, a heartbroken Linda said: "Luke, I believe you are a coward.

"You couldn’t face Damian like a man and have a conversation with him like a human being.

"You only had one intention in mind when you lured him into your home and that was that Damien would not be alive after he entered your house."

Linda continued: "Luke Simon's actions caused irreparable damage to myself and my family, this has resulted in loss, grief, and a strong sense of betrayal."

She said her children are deeply affected by the murder of Damien, whom she described as "a good, kind, caring, loving, loyal, attentive and active father and human being" and how they and future grandchildren will not be able to have a first-hand account of their Irish heritage and culture.

"This is something else Luke Simon’s actions have robbed them and future generations," said Linda.

"So much will be missed out on. Damien will not be here on either of his son's first day at school, Father's Day BBQ's, their graduations, their first day of university or work, teaching them to drive a car, giving them advice when they fall in love, or when they get married and become fathers themselves.

"These are times that are so significant, when boys need their father.

"Luke Simon's crime has made it so they will never have that opportunity to feel that connection, love and support from their father, who would have given them that and so much more."

Linda also said how Damien’s parents Dermot and Ethel, and family, in Sligo "struggle daily" to accept that he was taken away in such a horrific way.

Linda, who says she is a shell of her former self and struggles with daily life without Damien, also said Luke robbed her, her sons, Damien’s family and friends of saying goodbye to him due to the advanced decay of his body by the time he arrived at the funeral home.

"There was no chance of us holding him one last time, no chance of his mother getting a lock of her son’s hair to hold onto."

Linda said when Mr Simon is sentenced later, she struggles knowing that her pain and grief does not end there.

"I will replay these tragic events for the rest of my life. Every time somebody tells me how much my boy looks like their father.

"Every time I get a pitying look from the local’s that knew Damien or our friends and every time I speak to my children’s extended family in Ireland or travel to see them in the town he grew up in."

Addressing Justice McNaughton, Linda urged the judge to "please give us peace of mind that we do not have to live in fear of Luke walking the streets and having to see him.

"Please give Damien the justice he deserves so his soul may be at rest with his killer behind bars."

Mr Simon’s next court appearance is on Friday, December 19 where it is expected the sentencing date will then be fixed.

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