Life in prison for woman who murdered boyfriend in drunken New Year's Day row

A Louth woman has been convicted of the murdering her boyfriend in a drunken row in the early hours of New Year's Day, 2014.

Paula Farrell of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth had denied murdering Wayne McQuillan and wept as the jury delivered its guilty verdict after almost three and a half hours of deliberations.

Ms Farrell, who had been drinking all evening with the 30-year-old, stabbed him four times with a large kitchen knife after an argument erupted in her kitchen.

Wayne’s sister Audrey read a victim impact statement to the Central Criminal Court and said the fact her brother was killed by someone who should have loved and protected him will haunt the McQuillan family forever.

Mr Justice McCarthy sentenced the 42-year-old to life in prison.