Two Limerick brothers who were convicted of the manslaughter of their sister's boyfriend were each given suspended jail sentences by a judge at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
John Murray (26), of Clarina Park, Ballinacurra-Weston, Limerick, and his brother, Gerard Murray (19), of Garryglass Avenue, Ballinacurra-Weston, were convicted by a jury last December of the manslaughter of Mr Edward Waters (19), formerly of Columcille Street, King's Island, Limerick, at a house in Clarina Park on December 1st, 1992.
John Murray was given a five-year suspended sentence and Gerard Murray a four-year suspended sentence by Mr Justice Kinlen. The jail terms were suspended on condition that both men do 200 hours of community service under the supervision of the Probation Service. The judge said that he would review the cases in two years' time.
The jury heard that the men's sister, Ms Sharon Murray, was in a relationship with Mr Waters and had two children with him. Ms Murray give evidence that Mr Waters was violent towards her and her children and that on the night of the killing her brothers came to her aid. Mr Waters died from a knife wound.
Gerard Murray admitted bringing a knife to the scene of the killing and John Murray admitted picking up a knife in a struggle with the deceased man in the kitchen of the house.
Mr Justice Kinlen told the brothers that he did not share the widely-held view that people should be locked up. Prison was not the best place for people, and the prisons were overcrowded.
The judge said that there had to be a radical alternative to prison in cases such as this one. He said there was no doubt that the Probation Service in Limerick was doing fantastic work. While the service did not take everybody under its wing, he was satisfied that both defendants were suitable for probation and that appropriate work was available for them.
Mr Justice Kinlen said that he would consider removing the remainder of the prison sentences when he reviewed the case in two years' time if by then there was a satisfactory report from the Probation Service.
He pointed out that it cost the service £150 a week to look after a person, while it cost £1,000 a week to keep someone locked up in Limerick Prison. He said that the taxpayer was getting a better return from suitable people being given the opportunity to return to society.