Two get total of 17 years jail for brutal killing
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TWO men have been sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment in total for the killing of a 23-year-old man after a drinking session last year.
Tony O'Brien (24) of Baker Place, Limerick has been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for the manslaughter of Keith Ryan whose battered body was found under a bridge in the city on May 25, 2006.
O'Brien had pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Thomas Ryan (25) of Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty, Limerick, who pleaded guilty, has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
There were angry scenes in the courtroom after Judge Carroll Moran passed sentence yesterday at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
The mother of the victim shouted at the two convicted men: "You'll be got when you're out."
Extensive
The court heard that Keith Ryan from the Farranshone area of Limerick had been drinking in the Westfields area of Limerick with a number of other people when it started to rain late in the evening and they decided to move on.
The two defendants, along with another unnamed man, were going to a party in the Pennywell area of the city when they assaulted Mr Ryan at Fernbank, O'Callaghan Strand near the Shannon Bridge.
Mr Ryan suffered extensive injuries to his head.
His nose was fractured and his face and forehead were stamped upon.
Evidence
The court heard evidence that he died after inhaling his own blood.
He was intoxicated at the time of his death.
After the assault, the two defendants went over Shannon Bridge and into the city where their movements were monitored by CCTV.
O'Brien has 42 previous convictions, while Thomas Ryan has four previous convictions including burglary and assault of a priest in Limerick.
The sentences were backdated to May 26, 2006 when the two were arrested.
- Barry Duggan
