A Co Tipperary man today pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of another man in Waterford two years ago.
Robert Devine (33), of Wheatfields in Clonmel, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty of manslaughter just before the trial was due to get underway today.
Devine had originally pleaded not guilty to the murder of Joseph Cummins at Lower Grange in Waterford on November 24th, 2007. He changed his plea at the Central Criminal Court this morning following two days of discussions by legal teams in the case.
Counsel for the prosecution, Tim O'Leary SC, told the court that the new plea was acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Cummins, who was from Waterford city but had moved to Tramore with
his parents, was stabbed several times during an incident at the rented property.
He was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital by members of the emergency services, but he died shortly afterwards.
Mr Justice Barry White excused the jury of five men and seven women from jury service for the next ten years.
He remanded Mr Devine in custody until January 25th, when he is due to be sentenced.