Courts / Limerick / Report

Father-of-two jailed for life for bludgeoning man to death with table leg

Date
2017-02-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

Arnis Labunskis, a 57-year-old Latvian national from Limerick City, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his flatmate, Dainius Burba. The Central Criminal Court heard that Labunskis pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, alleging he acted in self-defence after Burba allegedly attacked him with a table leg. However, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict following just over two hours of deliberation. Forensic evidence indicated Burba suffered approximately 19 blows to the head and face, resulting in a fractured skull and severe brain injury, with the cause of death determined as blunt force trauma. Labunskis had initially told gardaí an intruder was responsible but later claimed self-defence in court. He was found attempting to hide evidence after walking across the city to a relative's home. Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy sentenced Labunskis to life imprisonment, noting the exemplary conduct of the investigating gardaí. The court accepted the jury's finding of guilt, rejecting the self-defence plea. The sentence was pronounced immediately, with Labunskis led away to begin his custody. The judge expressed hope that the verdict would provide closure to Burba's family, who presented a victim impact statement highlighting his role as a father and brother.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Father-of-two jailed for life for bludgeoning man to death with table leg. Charges or matters: murder. Procedural stage: sentence

When: