A Dublin man, Patrick O'Connell (36), of Ratoath Avenue, Finglas, was jailed for six years yesterday after he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Vincent Harford (35), of Sutton, Co Dublin, in May 1997 at Ratoath Avenue, Finglas, Dublin.
Mr Justice Paul Carney was told the two men had been on "a drinking binge" in Finglas prior to the incident. In the early hours of the morning, the deceased went back to the house shared by O'Connell and his common-law wife.
There, a "violent dispute" broke out in which Mr Harford tried to stop the accused from attacking his partner. A short time later, he left the house, but as he was walking down the road, the woman's daughter came after him and called him back again.
He again tried to stop O'Connell from assaulting his partner. O'Connell then went to the kitchen and took out a large carving knife. Events then moved to the front garden, where he stabbed Mr Harford twice.
An earlier sentence hearing on October 9th had to be adjourned when O'Connell became intoxicated during a lunchtime recess.