Attacker punched and kicked man to death

A 30-YEAR-OLD labourer died after his attacker stomped on his throat, crushing his Adams apple, an inquest heard yesterday.

Simon Hoyne, from Kilkenny, was on his way home from a nightclub when he was kicked and punched to death by 22 year-old James O'Keeffe. The father of one was jailed for life on April 1 for the fatal attack on June 3, 2001.

An inquest heard yesterday that Simon Hoyne was mildly intoxicated and did not defend himself during the attack.

Injuries to his face and neck were consistent with being repeatedly punched. Assistant State pathologist Marie Cassidy said his death was due to blunt force

trauma to the head and neck wounds that were inflicted through punches, kicks and stomps.

A jury in the Central Criminal Court late last month had heard that Jamie O'Keeffe beat and kicked Mr Hoyne to death as he returned home from a night out in Kilkenny city on the June Bank Holiday Weekend in 2001.

O'Keeffe of Knockbrack, Kildree, Stoneyford, Co Kilkenny, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Simon Hoyne of Reimeen, Tullarone, Kilkenny, on John's Green.