Man loses appeal against Cork murder conviction

A 27-year-old man has lost his appeal against his conviction for the murder of Cork plasterer Brian McKee three-and-a-half years ago.

John Brett of Leitrim Street, Cork and his co-accused Jason Quinlan had denied killing the father of one who died after being attacked by knives and broken bottles in Mahon in August 2007.

The Court of Criminal Appeal rejected his lawyers claim that the trial judge should have discharged the jury when Mr Quinlan's girlfriend gave evidence that she had seen Mr Brett carrying a knife.

They argued that her evidence had differed from her earlier statements to Gardaí.