'At the end of the day, I loved him': Desmond Duffy not guilty of murdering abusive partner 'Dessie' Sullivan

Desmond Duffy has been found not guilty of the murder of Desmond Sullivan at the home they shared in Somerville Park, Rathmines, Dublin 6 on May 23, 2016.

Pensioner Desmond Duffy walked free from court this evening after being found not guilty of murdering his "abusive" and "violent" partner, 59-year-old Desmond 'Dessie' Sullivan.

Mr Duffy (70) cried quietly and whispered "thank you" as the jury left the courtroom having spent seven hours and eleven minutes considering their verdict following a nine-day trial. Mr Duffy said from the outset that he was acting in self-defence after his partner of 36 years attacked him in the kitchen of their home.