Two sentenced for Co Kildare manslaughter

Two men have been sentenced for their part in the killing of a man in Co Kildare last year.

Last week Darren Wynne (21) was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his best friend Jamie Lindsay (20), whom he shot in the face.

Wynne, Ballyroe, Athy, Co Kildare, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Mr Lindsay at Coney Green, Coneyboro, Athy, on April 6th, 2013.

Quentin Monaghan (21), Stradbally, Co Laois, and James Seery (21), Canal Side, Athy, were also charged with the murder and were tried alongside Wynne, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter during the trial.

Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan yesterday sentenced Monaghan to eight years imprisonment, with two suspended, for the manslaughter.

He sentenced Seery to seven years imprisonment with three suspended.

Monaghan was also sentenced to four years for firearms offences to run concurrently with the manslaughter sentence.

‘Reckless’

Mr Justice Sheehan said he accepted that Monaghan did not intend to kill or cause serious harm but said his actions were “reckless”.

He noted that he had four previous convictions, including one for the robbery of a shop with a knife.

Seery was sentenced to three years to run concurrently for firearm offences. Mr Justice Sheehan noted Seery’s guilty plea, his co-operation with gardaí, his young age, lack of previous convictions as well as his apology and remorse. He also noted the evidence of a psychiatrist who said Seery was less culpable than Monaghan.

On July 10th, the jury unanimously found Wynne guilty of murder.

It was the State’s case that Seery and Monaghan were part of a joint enterprise. Following their eight-day trial both pleaded guilty to manslaughter.