Murderer of ‘doting’ dad jailed for life

A man who shot the “doting” father of a 3-year-old in Blarney, Co Cork, and claimed he had only been trying to scare off the victim, was yesterday found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The jury took just over three-and-a-half hours to return their unanimous verdicts on what was the sixth day of the trial.

They found Michael Collins, aged 29, of Upper Kilmona, Grenagh, Co Cork, guilty of murdering Patrick “Pakie” Hogan at Glen Rd, Ballynaraha, Blarney, on Feb 10 last year. He was also found guilty of possession of a rifle and ammunition with intent to endanger life on the same date.