A Kerry man serving a life sentence for the murder of a 16-year-old youth in Tralee has lost his appeal against conviction.
Michael O'Brien (29), of Gallowsfield, Tralee, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court on January 29th, 1999, of murdering James Healy, Shan akill, Tralee, at Monavalley Industrial Estate on February 22nd, 1997.
Rejecting all grounds of appeal, the court found no reason to alter the jury's verdict.
O'Brien had claimed that he was twice seen by the jury in handcuffs and chained to a police officer, and that this had interfered with the presumption of innocence to which all accused were entitled. However, the appeal court said the trial judge had addressed the jury on that matter.
