Courts / Clare / Report
Seven years for killer who stabbed man in back during row
Summary
A 23‑year‑old drug addict, Robbie Walsh, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment with one year suspended for manslaughter after stabbing Karl "Gobbo" Haugh in the back during a row at Marion Estate, Kilkee, in August 2017. The court found that Walsh had not brought a knife to the scene; the knife used was taken from a kitchen block belonging to Haugh's friend. Walsh pleaded guilty to manslaughter and had previously been convicted of drug‑related offences. The judge noted his cooperation with Gardaí and his remorse, and reduced the headline sentence from ten to eight years. The suspended year was to run for three years, back‑dated to the date of his arrest. The sentence was imposed at the Central Criminal Court, with the judge urging Walsh to attend addiction and counselling services while in custody. Robbie Walsh pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Seven years for killer who stabbed man in back during row. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Haugh at Marion Estate, Kilkee, Co. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- February 13 Other
- August 6, 2017 Other
- August 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2003 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 8, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-04-08 Publication
Why: " The defendant told gardaí that after he swung the knife, he believed Mr Haugh to be okay because "he got back up". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Haugh at Marion Estate, Kilkee, Co (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; I might be a lot of things but I'm not a murderer." At a sentence hearing this morning, Ms Justice Stewart said it was accepted and established at trial that Walsh did not bring a knife with him to the altercation. Ms Justice Stewart then sentenced Walsh to eight years in prison with one year suspended for a period of three years, backdated to August 8, 2017 when he went into custody.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Ennis
- Ennis Circuit Court
- Island View
- Kilrush
- Marion Estate
- Kilkee
- Marian Estate
- John Farmer of Ennistymon Garda Station
- Ennistymon
- Mr Haugh's house
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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