Man to be sentenced for killing fiancée's son

A 34-year-old man is to be sentenced today for killing his former fiancee's baby son.

A 34-year-old man is to be sentenced today for killing his former fiancée's baby son.

Philip Doyle of Tinakilly, Aughrim,Co. Wicklow was convicted of the manslaughter of three-and-a-half-month-old Ross Murphy at Creagh Demesne, Gorey, Co Wexford on April 5, 2005.

Doyle began dating Leona Murphy when she was pregnant with baby Ross. They later became engaged.

After the birth, the 34-year-old tried to have his name put down as the father on the birth certificate but was told this was not possible.

Doyle said he tripped on a mat and fell on the wooden floor while holding Ross at their home in Gorey while Ross's mother Leona was out getting a DVD.

The prosecution's case was that Ross Murphy had died from brain trauma as a result of shaken baby syndrome.

A murder charge was reduced to manslaughter mid-trial, partly because of insufficient evidence as to how the injuries were caused.

Doyle was convicted by a jury and will be sentenced today.