McDonald's murderer Darren Muise granted day parole

darren muise, sydney river, mcdonalds murders

One of the killers responsible for the McDonald's murders in Cape Breton has been granted day parole.

The National Parole Board granted 37-year-old Darren Richard Muise day parole last week.

Muise was sent to jail for his role in the infamous McDonald's murders, which took place in Sydney River on May 7, 1992.

Employees Neil Burroughs Jimmy Fagan, Donna Warren and Arlene MacNeil were cleaning up after a night shift when they were confronted by three young men who planned to clean out the safe at the restaurant.

Freeman MacNeil, Derek Wood and Darren Muise later said they didn't intend to use violence to rob the McDonald's location, but Burroughs, Fagan and Warren were all killed that night.

Arlene MacNeil was shot in the head and left for dead, but she survived and is now a paraplegic.

Muise was 18 when he pleaded guilty to killing Burroughs, who was shot, beaten and had his throat slit. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years before parole eligibility.

MacNeil and Wood were also convicted for their role in the murders and they remain in prison.

The parole board has granted Muise short releases for work, study and to visit his girlfriend since 2006, saying he is considered a low risk to re-offend.

Muise must stay at a halfway house, and has been ordered to abstain from the use of drugs. He is not to have any contact with the surviving victim or the victims' families, as well as with anyone who is known to have a criminal record.