Courts / Waterford / Report
Stamping injuries to man killed in own home 'akin to traffic accident'
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Garrett Smith, 35, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter and violent disorder after he stamped Edward O'Sullivan's head in his Kilkenny apartment, causing injuries described by a state pathologist as akin to a traffic accident. O'Sullivan, 46, was discovered lying in a pool of blood with severe facial and internal injuries, and was treated on site before dying. Smith, intoxicated, was arrested with blood on his clothes and was charged with assault causing harm. Witnesses described a drunken altercation that escalated into physical violence, with Smith repeatedly stamping on O'Sullivan's head and face. The court noted the extreme nature of the injuries and the aggravating factor of the victim's right to withdraw the invitation to the home. Smith's defence highlighted intoxication and apologized for the outcome. The case was scheduled for sentencing on 19 December.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Stamping injuries to man killed in own home 'akin to traffic accident'. Charges or matters: murder; manslaughter; violent disorder. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 6, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 19 December Other
- 2022-11-21 Publication
Why: "A row broke out, and umbrage was taken because he was told to get out," said Mr Justice Hunt. CNI source report
Case subjects
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- St John's Park
- High Hayes Terrace
Topics
Related court reports
- Mentally ill man who put fellow psychiatric patient in chokehold to be immediately released into care of UK parents
- Former Christian Brothers accused of breach of duty to be named in national newspaper
- Murderer claims reference to Conor McGregor brought 'toxic masculinity' baggage
- Combined 15-year sentence for violent rape and abuse is upheld
- High Court to consider publishing names of 340 former Christian Brothers
- Disability charity boss wins record €323k for 'egregious' whistleblower penalisation
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request