A DUBLIN man who carried a knife because he feared for his life is to be sentenced tomorrow by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for manslaughter.
Minutes after he stabbed Mr David Cunningham, who had attacked him, Alan Marconi helped victims of a car accident on the Ashbourne road and took a baby to safety from the back of one of the vehicles, Judge Cyril Kelly heard.
Marconi (22), of Fortlawn Avenue, Dublin, admitted the unlawful killing of Mr Cunningham (19), on June 28th, 1996, in Blanchardstown.
Det Sgt Eugene Brennan agreed with Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, defending, that Marconi was in fear of his life as a result of allegations spread locally about him, but that did not warrant him carrying a knife.
Det Sgt Brennan told Mr Ken Mills SC, prosecuting, Marconi was walking with friends along Sheepmore Lawn towards his home when he was accosted by Mr Cunningham and Mr David Goulding.
Marconi told gardai in his statement he was head-butted, beaten and kicked before he produced the knife and shouted at them that he had it. He said he punched out at his attackers and realised he had stabbed them.
He was arrested at Beaumont Hospital where he was treated for a gash to his head. He told gardai: "I know what I did was wrong. I was only protecting myself. I didn't mean to stab whim. I'm sorry."
Judge Kelly said he wanted to consider the evidence and adjourned sentence to tomorrow.