Man gets life for murder of best friend

A PACKED Central Criminal Court broke into applause and cheering yesterday evening as an unemployed Dublin man was jailed for life for murdering one of his best friends, whom he stabbed through the heart after they had rowed over phone calls.

Martin Toland (34), of Walkinstown Park, stood and shook his head as the jury returned their majority 10-2 verdict following just over 6½ hours of deliberations over two days.

He had denied murdering Alan Nolan (28), at his apartment in Cedarbrook Walk, Ballyfermot, in the early hours of September 8th, 2007, and said that he was acting in self-defence. Mr Nolan received five stab wounds, including the fatal wound that penetrated his heart.

The jury also found Toland guilty on a second count of recklessly or intentionally causing serious harm to James Carroll (30), on the same date. The accused had also denied that charge.

Mr Carroll narrowly survived after Toland stabbed him in the heart and stomach. He went on to give evidence and was the main witness in the trial.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy handed down the mandatory life sentence. He adjourned sentencing for the second charge until March 22nd.