Limerick man found guilty of manslaughter

A Limerick man who admitted stabbing a 22-year-old man in a park in 1999 was found not guilty murder, but guilty of manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court today.

A jury of seven men and four women took almost seven and a half hours of deliberating to find Mr Robert McNamara, (aged 28) of Clarina Park, Ballinacurra, Westin, Limerick guilty of the manslaughter of Mr Brendan O’Connell on December 16, 1999 at the People’s Park in Limerick.

Mr O’Connell of Hillview Grove, Doon, Co Limerick died from internal blood loss from a single stab wound in the upper chest, which pierced his heart.

The court heard he scaled a park railings before collapsing on the ground from the injury.

Thanking the jury for their service, Mr Justice Henry Abbot released them from jury service for five years and thanked them for the attendance and attentiveness during the 12-day trial.

The family of the deceased cried openly in court following the verdict.

The accused will be remanded in custody until November 22.