Deal reached on reduced sentence for murder accused in Spain

A deal has been reached for a reduced sentence of 15 years at the Spanish trial of an Irish man accused of beating his partner to death at their holiday home three years ago.

Paul Hickey (aged 31) from Darndale in Dublin is charged with killing his partner Celine Conroy (aged 28) in their villa near Alicante in 2005.

Just after 2pm local time this afternoon, the two state prosecutors, the Conroy family's solicitor and the defence solicitor agreed on the 15-year sentence, minus the three years he has already served.

Under Spanish law he could have been sentenced to up to 20 years.

As part of the plea bargain Hickey denied an additional charge of having caused gratuitous suffering to Conroy. His defence team insisted in court that he did not intend to cause unnecessary or gratuitous suffering to the victim.

Hickey also apologised in court.

The couple's children were not present in court and were not required to give evidence.

A group of Conroy's family were present outside the court and insults were shouted at Hickey as he was led from the building.

The jury will consider whether to accept the deal agreed, before final sentence is passed by the judge.