A man described in court as a "central figure" in Limerick's criminal underworld has been jailed for life.
Derek McNamara (37), St Ita's Street, St Mary's Park, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court last night of the murder of Martin O'Donoghue (35) on August 9th, 2004.
The father of four died after he was stabbed to death outside a bar known as The Pub, on Broad Street, in Limerick. After just under three hours of deliberating, the jury returned the unanimous guilty verdict.
During the week-long trial the jury was shown CCTV footage of events leading up to and just after Mr O'Donoghue's murder.
It was the State's case that although McNamara had not carried out the "physical act" of stabbing the man, he was as liable as if he had the knife himself.
The jury was told that another man, named in court as Ray McNamara, the accused's brother, had stabbed Mr O'Donoghue after he had been assaulted by the accused.
A witness gave evidence of hearing the defendant calling his brother Ray about bringing a knife to the pub.
After the verdict was returned, Garda Supt John Scanlon told the court that Derek McNamara had 22 previous convictions and described the father of six as a "central figure" in Limerick's criminal underworld.
"He [Derek McNamara] is one of the most significant figures in criminality in this city," said Supt Scanlon.
Supt Scanlon said the murder of Mr O'Donoghue was not connected to the Limerick feud and was not drugs related.
In a victim impact report a sister of the deceased, Lorraine O'Donoghue, described how her famiy's lives have been torn apart.
"He was the life and soul of our home, a great son, father, parnter and uncle. His partner Marie said her heart has been shattered as she has lost not only her partner but her best friend," she said.
"We can't understand why my brother lost his life so violently as he was such a happy-go-lucky man who would never fight with anyone," she added.
Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed the mandatory life sentence.