Dublin man pleads guilty to manslaughter

A 19-year-old Dublin man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of James Donoghue outside a Ballymun house party in September 2006.

Stephen Maughan, of Saint Margaret’s Park, Ballymun, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murder, but guilty of manslaughter at Dane Road, Ballymun on September 10, 2006.

Mr Justice Paul Carney remanded Maughan in custody and set a sentence date of July 27, 2009.

Mr Donoghue (aged 26) died from stab wounds after being refused entry to a 21st birthday party. Maughan was one of three men accused of the killing.

Bernard Christopher Joyce (aged 22) of Carton Road, Poppintree, was convicted by a jury in December of Mr Donoghue’s manslaughter. He was sentenced by Mr Justice George Birmingham to 12 years with three suspended.