Life term for brush murder of retired soldier

A Limerick man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a retired soldier with a sweeping brush.

Christopher McNamara, aged 21, of Good Shepherd Villas, Pennywell Rd in Limerick, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of James Boyce, aged 71, at St Munchin’s St, St Mary’s Park in Limerick between Mar 6 and Mar 7, 2011.

The court heard that Mr Boyce had been the victim of an assault with a long striking edge and that the fatal injuries were those on his neck, where multiple fractures of the larynx were found.