Suspended term for woman who killed brother

Caroline Brennan, convicted of the unlawful killing of her brother at a party in December 2008, has received a suspended jail…

Caroline Brennan, convicted of the unlawful killing of her brother at a party in December 2008, has received a suspended jail term because the DPP indicated, in “highly unusual” circumstances, that it would not appeal such a sentence.

Michael Brennan (22) died at the party in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, after his sister stabbed him in the heart and liver when a dispute erupted at the home of their since-deceased uncle, Ollie Nolan.

Brennan (19), formerly of Love Lane in Castlecomer who now lives in Dublin, denied murdering her brother at Barrack Street in the town shortly after 3am on December 30th, 2008.

Yesterday, a jury of nine women and three men found her not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.

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Justice Paul Carney said: “My difficulty is that she equipped herself with a knife and it is my experience that those who equip themselves with knives for their own protection, tend to use them."

“I find it very difficult not to impose a custodial sentence...but in light of the highly unusual circumstances of the case and the fact that the DPP has indicated that [it] would not take issue and appeal a suspended sentence, I impose a five-year suspended sentence”.

After sentencing today, Kilkenny-based Solicitor Michael Lanigan made a statement on behalf of the family.

He said: "Caroline and the Brennan family recognise there are no winners in this case…they all feel a continuing loss. Caroline, at this point wants to thank her wonderful family and the [Byrne] family for all the support they have given her over the last year…thank you very much.”