Sister receives suspended sentence for brother's death

A Kilkenny teenager has been sentenced to a five-year suspended sentence for the manslaughter of her brother in Kilkenny.

Nineteen-year-old Caroline Brennan of Love Lane in Castlecomer was found guilty yesterday of the manslaughter of her brother Michael.

The 22-year-old died after he was stabbed once in the heart following a party at his uncle's house on December 30th 2008.

Twenty-two-year-old Michael Brennan was killed by his sister Caroline as a result of a single stab wound to the chest at a party in his uncles house in Barrack Street in Castlecomer Co Kilkenny on December 2008.

During sentencing today Mr Justice Paul Carney said he took into account Caroline Brennan's previous good character, her lack of previous convictions, and the fact that she would have to live with the act of fratricide for the rest of her life.

He took into account the concern she had shown for her brother in his drug use, the dignity she had shown throughout the trial and the investigation, as well as the effect a number of family tragedies had had on the girl.

He also noted the family pleas that she not be imprisoned but said he had difficulty with the fact the accused had armed herself with a knife and went to scene.

It was indicated in court that the DPP would not appeal a suspended sentence and Caroline Brennan was handed down a five-year suspended sentence with a €1,000 euro bond to keep the peace from today.