Leitrim teenager jailed for killing pensioner he claimed abused him

A teenager has been sentenced to six years, with four suspended, for killing a pensioner he claimed sexually abused him when he was younger.

Brendan McGovern (aged 19) of Killahurk, Carrigallen, Leitrim beat 73-year-old John Golden unconscious at his home in Doogarry, Killeshandra, Co Cavan on October 6, 2010.

Brendan McGovern's trial heard his victim had been the subject of a garda investigation during the 1990s, when he admitted showing pornographic videos to young teenage boys.

The accused alleges that John Golden sexually assaulted him two or three times when he was 13 or 14.

On the night of the fatal attack, he went round to confront his alleged abuser who he believed had been taunting him in the pub earlier and ended up beating the 73-year-old who, it was claimed, had handed him a condom, as if he'd come for sex

Today, Mr Justice Paul Carney took account of a psychologist's evidence that the 19-year-old is bordering on a mild intellectual disability and is at low risk of a future aggressive assault.

He noted the jury's finding that the teenager had been provoked and has imposed a sentence of six years detention with the final four years suspended for the manslaughter of Mr Golden.

Members of Brendan McGoven's family broke down in tears at the sentence.