Two men jailed for killing teacher

TWO Clare men were yesterday jailed for “a cowardly and unprovoked attack” that ended the life of a 26-year-old school teacher on St Stephen’s night in Ennis last year.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Carroll Moran imposed a five-year jail term on Harry Dinan, aged 31, of 10 Waterpark Heights, Ennis for the manslaughter of Brian Casey on December 26 last and a four-year term on his nephew, Kevin Dinan, 24, of 3 Clarehill, Clarecastle.

Both had pleaded guilty to Mr Casey’s manslaughter and counsel for the state, Deirdre Murphy SC said that Harry Dinan – who has 64 previous convictions – was on temporary release from prison at the time of the unlawful killing, while Kevin Dinan – who has 17 previous convictions – was on bail and awaiting sentence having pleaded guilty to a burglary charge.