THE SENTENCING at the Central Criminal Court of two brothers who killed a man in Killarney two years ago has been adjourned until next Friday by Mr Justice Barry White after he heard evidence yesterday of previous offences committed by the two defendants.
A victim impact statement was also read to the court on behalf of the dead man’s mother.
Shane O’Riordan (19) and Gerard O’Riordan (28), Arbutus Grove, Killarney, Co Kerry, were cleared last month of murdering James Brazier (30) – also known as “English Jim” – in Killarney on April 15th, 2007, but were found guilty of his manslaughter.
Mr Brazier, a father of three, died from multiple stab wounds.
The court heard that the brothers had gone to the home of Shane O’Riordan’s former girlfriend.
Det Pat Lynch told the court that the brothers went to the girl’s bedroom. Mr Brazier was asleep in the bed beside the girl. Gerard punched Mr Brazier in the head while Shane stabbed him 12 times in the back, the court heard.
Gerard then pulled Mr Brazier from the bed, beat him around the head with a tubular steel chair and kicked him.
Yesterday the court was told that Shane O’Riordan had 11 previous convictions, including assault.
The court was told that he was sentenced to four years for an assault in December 2006.
The injured party on that occasion was in Killarney on a Christmas party. He got lost, walked down a side street and came upon Shane O’Riordan.
O’Riordan knocked the man to the ground, kicked him about the head and left him there. The man suffered brain injuries and was hospitalised for almost two months. Gerard O’Riordan has 35 previous convictions, including assault causing harm. In March 2003, he assaulted a man in a car park in Farranfore, Co Kerry. The man was taken to hospital with head injuries and O’Riordan received a three-year sentence.
Michael Durack SC read a victim impact statement on behalf of the deceased’s mother.
In it she wrote: “I can’t tell you how it feels. It’s like I’m doing a jail sentence since my son’s life was taken. I miss his kisses, his smiles . . . He was my spirit. My family has lost a best son and brother. His three children will grow up without a dad. I see the pain in their eyes.”
A letter written by the brothers was also read to the court. An excerpt stated: “We’ve both got blood on our hands and we’ll never be able to wash it away.”