Teenager jailed for 13 years for murder of Aaron Keating

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

A teenager who pleaded guilty to murdering Aaron Keating was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with the final two years suspended. The youth cannot be named because he was a minor when he first came before the courts. The judge said the sentence took account of his age, lack of maturity and prospects for rehabilitation.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the teenager stabbed Mr Keating in Ongar, Dublin 15, after returning with a knife he had stashed nearby. He said drug use played a dominating role in the murder and that the teenager was considered at high risk of reoffending if returned to the community within 12 months. The suspended portion is conditional on keeping the peace after release, addressing addiction needs and participating in recommended treatment and rehabilitation.