Murder accused pleads guilty to manslaughter

A 52-year-old Galway man accused of murder pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a sudden change of plea on the second day of his…

A 52-year-old Galway man accused of murder pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a sudden change of plea on the second day of his murder trial at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.

Mr Michael Reilly, of Corrach Buí, Rahoon, Galway, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Patrick Shaughnessy (28), Coogan Park, Galway, when his trial began on Monday. He changed his mind yesterday and decided to plead not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.

Mr Shane Murphy SC, prosecuting, accepted the guilty plea on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mr Shaughnessy died as a result of two stab wounds to the chest after "words were exchanged" with Mr Reilly at his home at Corrach Buí.

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The court heard on Monday that in the early hours of May 25th, 2002, a number of men, including the deceased, called to Mr Reilly's home, and "drinks were consumed". Mr Murphy told the jury that while the men were talking, "words were exchanged" between two men.

"As a result of these words, it would seem that what had been a peaceful event changed," he said.

"A number of witnesses will say they saw the defendant come towards the deceased with a knife and stab him in the chest."

Mr Murphy said the accused stabbed Mr Shaughnessy twice in the chest.

Presiding judge Mr Justice White commented on media coverage of murder trials today: "Unfortunately there are so many killings these days a murder or a manslaughter attracts only four or five lines in a side column," he said.

Mr Reilly remains on bail until his sentence hearing on May 17th.