Courts / Waterford / Report
Dean Kerrie jailed for killing late night intruder
Summary
Dean Kerrie, aged 21, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for the manslaughter of Jack Power, who had intruded into Kerrie's home in Dunmore East on 26 July 2018. The judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, found that Kerrie was entitled to use force in defence of himself, his family and his home, but that the force used was "grossly" excessive because Power was unarmed. Kerrie was 17 at the time of the offence, showed genuine remorse, and did not instigate the violence. The sentence, back‑dated to 30 June, includes a final year suspended for two years. Kerrie has already spent time in custody and will be required to work with probation services and engage in anger and violence management after release.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dean Kerrie jailed for killing late night intruder. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 30 Other
- July 26, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-10-26 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: The sentence I impose must be proportionate to the gravity of the offence of manslaughter and also appropriate to his [Kerrie's] circumstances." The trial heard that Jack Power had been drinking into the early hours and at about 3am saw damage to his car which he believed had been caused by Dean Kerrie. When the offence happened, Kerrie was a minor and had he been sentenced as a minor he would have been subject to a regime where the emphasis is on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the judge said.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Media coverage of murder trial delays led Australia-based psychiatrist to offer services, barrister tells court
- 'Completely unacceptable' that State unable to facilitate fair trial process with psychiatric reports, senior judge says
- Young man who killed home intruder withdraws appeal against manslaughter conviction
- Ruth Purcell Healy case: limitations on State's psychiatric services causing trauma, judge notes
- Ghost broker ordered to sell motorbike to compensate victims
- Ex-teacher who waged poison pen campaign against gardai is re-sentenced
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request