Dublin man jailed for manslaughter

A Dublin man who fatally stabbed another man after being refused entry to a party has been jailed for nine years.

A Dublin man who fatally stabbed another man after being refused entry to a party has been jailed for nine years.

Bernard Joyce (21), also known as Brian Joyce, Carton Road, Poppintree, Ballymun, was accused of murdering James Donoghue (26) at Dane Road, Ballymun, on September 10th, 2006 and of violent disorder and production of a knife.

He was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. He was also found guilty on the other two charges.
Mr Justice George Bermingham jailed Joyce or nine years today, with the final three years suspended.

Mr Donoghue was fatally stabbed in the heart and suffered a fractured skull and other stab wounds after refusing Joyce and two other men entry to a 21st birthday party at Cairn Court, Ballymun.

Joyce's trial heard he and the other men threw bottles into the yard of the house and were chased by guests and given "a hiding".

They then went to their homes and armed themselves with knives before returning to the house and attacking Mr Donoghue.

Joyce told gardaí that he stabbed Mr Donoghue in self-defence.