Keith Brady denies murder after manslaughter plea

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Keith Brady pleaded not guilty to murdering Martin Kivlehan and guilty to his manslaughter. The murder charge relates to an unknown date between 2 and 3 August 2015 at The New Apartments on Holborn Street, Sligo.

The proceedings were reported on 20 November 2018. Witnesses gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court that day.

The trial heard evidence that Mr Kivlehan was found holding a knife near his neck. Garda David Hannon said he suspected the scene had been staged to make it look as though Mr Kivlehan had stabbed himself.

Prosecuting counsel Paul Murray told the jury it would have to consider Brady’s level of intoxication and whether it affected his ability to form the intent required for murder.

The trial was continuing before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart.