Man who killed brother during suicide attempt gets suspended sentence

A young man made an heroic attempt to prevent his brother’s suicide, but it resulted in his own death - and today the family thanked a judge for not imposing a jail sentence for manslaughter.

Edward (Eddie) O’Mahony of 44, Springfield Park, Cobh, Co Cork, drove a car off a pier into the sea. He survived and his brother died.

He was given a five-year suspended jail sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court today after previously pleading guilty to the manslaughter of his brother, Patrick, who was 25 when he died.

Parents, Breda and Seán O’Mahony, said thanks to the judge before they left the courtroom.

Edward O’Mahony attempted suicide on July 7, 2006, after his 24th birthday party saw him drinking all night and until lunchtime the following day. He was also depressed over the recent break-up with his girlfriend.

Judge Patrick J. Moran referred to the huge consumption of drink and the depression when he said, "the combination of both probably set alight a fuse which ultimately resulted in your brother’s death".

Sergeant Patrick Murphy said: "He had broken up with his partner in the week prior to this and he decided to commit suicide. He got into the car at 1.30pm, his intention being to drive to the pier. His brother (Patrick) got into the car and asked him not to do it. The accused asked him to get out of the car.

"He parked by the wall and railings of the railway station 20 metres from the edge of the pier. The accused got into an argument about what he was going to do. He told his brother to get out.

"He decided to drive over the pier which he did on impulse. He didn’t know what was happening. The next thing he remembers was getting out the window and getting to the surface. His head was in a mess. He did not know what was happening," Sgt. Murphy said.

Mrs Breda O’Mahony, mother of the deceased and the accused, said: "Edward is a very good boy. He did not mean to do it. He just had troubles. Himself and Paddy were like friends.

"They went everywhere together. Where you would have Eddie, you would see Paddy as well."