Father bled to death from Christmas Eve knife wound

A 48-year-old father of three bled to death after receiving a knife wound to a varicose in his leg on Christmas Eve, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

The evidence was given yesterday at the sentence hearing of his ex-wife’s partner, who had pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.

David Shanley, aged 47, of Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Co Wexford, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of John Lawlor on December 24 or 25, 2014, at Ballinatray Lower, Courtown Harbour. The State accepted the plea and Shanley was before the court for sentencing yesterday.