Martin Kelly jailed for manslaughter in Kilkenny fire death

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

Martin Kelly was sentenced to 12 years and six months for the manslaughter of Gerry Nolan, with the final 18 months suspended on condition that he avail of education and addiction supports. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed the sentence. The proceedings were reported on 27 June 2022.

Kelly pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He had been charged in 2020 following a cold case investigation. The court heard that he set fire to Gerry Nolan’s mobile home in Co Kilkenny in the early hours of 24 July 2006.

The judge said Kelly had shown a very high degree of recklessness and left the scene without raising the alarm. Kelly said he had only meant to frighten Nolan, but the judge said his intention went beyond that to terrorise him.

In mitigation, the judge considered Kelly’s guilty plea, his age at the time of the offence and his difficult upbringing. He said he was satisfied that Kelly’s expression of remorse was sincere, although it was a long time coming.