A west Clare man has been convicted at the Central Criminal Court in Ennis of the murder of his former girlfriend.
Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed a mandatory life sentence on Raymond Donovan (24) New Houses, Cooraclare, after the jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict after nearly three hours yesterday.
Donovan strangled Ann Walsh (23) to death in the grounds of St Senan's church, Kilrush, Co Clare, on August 24th last.
Supt Joseph McKeown, who led the investigation into Ms Walsh's murder, said after court yesterday that she "was brutally killed in a vicious and cowardly attack".
At the end of the seven-day trial, Donovan remained impassive as the verdict was read out, while Ms Walsh's sister, Mary, briefly clapped.
In her victim impact statement in court yesterday, their mother Ann told the court that her family "has been torn asunder over Ann's death. We will never be right again."
Ms Walsh described her daughter as her best friend. "She was due to go on holidays last August and I never knew that the passport photo she got would end up on her gravestone.
"Our hearts are broken. We can't eat or sleep without medication. Ann was full of life. She was a beautiful girl and I miss her."
Garda Michael Ryan said Donovan came from a family of 11 and has been in and out of psychiatric care in Co Clare and Co Mayo. "He suffers from manic depression and has worked as a part-time labourer."
He had 11 previous convictions. "He was very co-operative at all times and expressed remorse immediately for he had done."
In statements to gardaí, Donovan said he loved Ms Walsh and did not mean to kill her.
He admitted to holding Ms Walsh's throat for 1½ to two minutes. "When she went quiet, I thought that she was messing. I didn't mean to choke her."
The court was told that Donovan was prevented from committing suicide by his brother, Seán, who cut him down from a rope one month before he murdered Ms Walsh.
Donovan also asked Seán to commit him hours before he murdered Ms Walsh but he changed the subject as quickly as he asked.
Donovan and Ms Walsh were out drinking together on August 24th, but were seen later arguing on the street.
Mark Nicholas, for Donovan, said: "Raymond remains very upset over what has happened and if he could turn the clock back he would.
"He has his own troubles and will have to struggle with this and live with this for the rest of his life."
Afterwards, Supt McKeown said: "My thoughts are with Ann's family who had to endure such a harrowing time since her dreadful death. It is a tragedy that such a young life should be destroyed so callously."
He hoped that "in some small way, the conclusion of the trial will bring a small degree of comfort in knowing that justice has been done".
He added: "This has been a very sad experience for everyone involved and a landmark in the Kilrush district force's history, but it has shown that we will commit all our professionalism, skills and resources to establish the truth and see justice done."
Mr Justice Carney refused leave to appeal the sentence.