Carroll convicted of Corkman's manslaughter

The family of a man battered to death in Cork in 1997 hugged and cried openly as a man accused of the murder of their brother was convicted of manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court today.

After deliberating for almost nine hours, a jury of seven men and five women found Mr William "Buster" Carroll (52) not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Thomas Harte in a derelict house on Leitrim Street, Cork, between May 19 and 10, 1997.

Mr Carroll, of no fixed address, had denied the murder of Mr Harte, (40) of Allen's Square, Ballymacthomas, Cork

After the verdict the convicted man said "I wish to appeal this because I'm innocent".

Outside the courtroom, the victim's sister, Mrs Emily Hurley, said the family were "thrilled" to have a result after five years and were glad to see "some sort of justice".

The three sisters and two brothers of the deceased had sat together throughout the 10-day retrial.

Exempting the jury from jury service for ten years, Mr Justice Carney thanked them for the careful attention they had given to the case.

During the trial the court heard that the deceased man, who lived with his mother, was found dead in the disused premises known as "the skip" in Cork.

A number of down and outs and winos, including Carroll, were known to stay at the premises.

Mr Harte was on heavy medication for severe epilepsy and had wandered away from home for a number of days when he was beaten to death in the derelict house.

A nephew of Carroll's was also charged with the murder of Mr Harte, but due to a medical condition a nolle prosequi was entered.

Carroll will be remanded in custody before being sentenced on April 26 next.