A MAN who admitted killing a neighbour with a single stab to the heart was jailed for 10 years by the Central Criminal Court.
Sentencing Anthony Kiely (24) of O'Malley Park, Limerick, Mr Justice Carney said he was taking into account, among other factors, the prevalence of such offences in the part of the country where the killing took place.
Kiely, an unemployed father of one, had pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Patrick McNamara (25) in Southhill, Limerick, on December 9th, 1994.
Supt Patrick O'Boyle of Limerick told Ms Maureen Clark SC, prosecuting, that a fist fight between the accused man's brother. Mr John "Gonzo" Kiely, and Mr Edward Birmingham followed a heated argument between "Gonzo" and his common law wife, Sheila, who is Mr Birmingham's sister. This followed a Christmas shopping expedition which had developed into a drinking spree.
Both Mr John Kiely and Ms Birmingham called for reinforcements from other family members. Her brother Edward got involved in the fist fight with Mr John Kiely. They initially agreed between them that no weapons would be used.
The superintendent said that Mr McNamara was an innocent party who came to watch the fight. Kiely came into possession of a knife and struck Mr McNamara in the chest with it. He later called to the Garda station and admitted the offence.
The State Pathologist, Prof John Harbison, later said the knife was unlikely to have been the one which inflicted the fatal wound.
Supt O'Boyle said the accused man had been convicted of manslaughter in 1988.
Mr Justice Carney said that in Kiely's favour he took into account his guilty plea and that he had given himself up. He refused an application from Mr MacEntee for a certificate of leave to appeal.