Claremen to be sentenced for Ennis killing

Two Co Clare men are due before the Central Criminal Court later today to be sentenced for manslaughter in connection with the death of another man in Ennis last year.

34-year-old Michael Shannon, from Connolly Villas in Ennis, was beaten to death in a car park in the town on April 2, 2000.

26-year-old Michael Nihill, from Church Drive in Clarecastle, and Joseph O'Halloran, also from Clarecastle, but with an address in London, both pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Shannon, but they admitted manslaughter.

During last month's week-long trial, the jury heard that Nihill and O'Halloran beat and kicked Mr Shannon following an argument.

The victim was later found unconscious in a car park in Ennis town centre and died minutes after arriving at Ennis General Hospital.

Both men took the stand during the trial and told the court that they were very sorry for the attack and apologised to Mr Shannon's family.