Courts / Wexford / Report
Christmas Eve killer jailed for 2.5 years
Summary
John Lawlor, 48, died from a knife wound to a varicose vein below his knee after a dispute with David Shanley, 47, on Christmas Eve 2014 at Ballintray Lower, Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Co Wexford. Shanley called the house, was confronted by Lawlor, and a struggle ensued. Shanley admitted to manslaughter but denied murder, pleading guilty in June. He was sentenced by Mr Justice Paul Butler to five years' imprisonment, with two-and-a-half years suspended, for manslaughter. The judge noted the wound's unusual location and that the offence was on the lower scale for sentencing. Shanley had been in custody since October 10 of that year. The case involved testimony from Detective Inspector Murt Whelan, State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy, and statements from relatives of both parties. The conviction was upheld as manslaughter, not murder.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Christmas Eve killer jailed for 2.5 years. Charges or matters: manslaughter in June and had been on bail. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 24 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 10 Other
- Christmas Eve Other
- Christmas Eve 2014 Other
- Christmas Incident
- 2016-10-24 Publication
Why: The inspector explained that Shanley was in a relationship with Mr Lawlor's ex-wife, Melissa Lawlor, and that he had been drinking with her on Christmas Eve. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: manslaughter in June and had been on bail (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Christmas Eve, was jailed for two-and-a-half years today.
Defendant
Charges: manslaughter in June and had been on bail (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Sentencing Shanley to five years' imprisonment, with two-and-half years suspended, Mr Justice Paul Butler told the Central Criminal Court that the conviction of manslaughter could carry a life sentence. As Shanley was been led away to begin his sentence, a male relative of the deceased sitting in the public gallery told the judge that the conviction "should have been murder, not manslaughter".
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Brian Grendon to face non-jury trial for directing criminal gang
- Paedophile caught with violent child abuse material fails to have sentence reduced
- Addict jailed after being caught with €330k worth of cannabis following traffic stop
- Use of mobile phone while driving led to €330,000 cannabis seizure
- 'It only took him six weeks to destroy me': criminal who beat, raped and coercively controlled partner to remain in prison after appeal rejected
- Polish man challenges garda to 'lie detector' test in alleged discrimination case
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request