Courts / Cork / Report

Murderer apologises to bereaved family as he is led away to begin life sentence

Date
2015-11-23

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

In a sentencing hearing on 23 November 2015, Peter Jackson, aged 41, was given a mandatory life sentence for the murder of David Hamilton, aged 31, on 4 May 2012. Jackson, a former heroin addict, admitted remorse, saying "I'm sorry, I didn't set out to do this." The court heard that the killing occurred during a heroin injection session at a house on Kerryhall Road, where an argument over the drug escalated into a stabbing. Jackson had 73 prior convictions, mainly for traffic, public order, theft and burglary, and a previous three‑year sentence for heroin supply. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not to murder, a plea rejected by the prosecution. The sentence was back‑dated to the day of the murder, 4 May 2012. The hearing included a victim impact statement from Hamilton's uncle, Robert Denby, describing the family's profound grief. The judge, Justice Isobel Kennedy, confirmed the life sentence and the back‑dating. Peter Jackson was found guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murderer apologises to bereaved family as he is led away to begin life sentence. Charges or matters: manslaughter but not guilty to murder. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

November 13 Hearing Or Sentence
May 4, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
February 17 1998 Incident
February 2015 Incident
May 4 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-11-23 Publication

Case subjects

David Hamilton

Defendant

Charges: manslaughter but not guilty to murder (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Mr Jackson was given the mandatory life sentence by Justice Isobel Kennedy at the Central Criminal Court this morning.

Peter Jackson

Convicted Person

Charges: manslaughter but not guilty to murder (Proven)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Mr Jackson was given the mandatory life sentence by Justice Isobel Kennedy at the Central Criminal Court this morning. Justice Isobel Kennedy told Mr Jackson that he had been convicted of murder and that she was giving him the mandatory sentence of life.