A 24-year-old Clare man has been convicted of murdering his former girlfriend at the Central Criminal Court in Ennis.
Raymond Donovan of New Houses, Cooraclare was given a mandatory life sentence for the murder of Ann Walsh (23) in Kilrush last year.
The court heard how Donovan strangled Walsh to death in the grounds of St Senans's Church on the 24th of August 2005.
In statements to gardaí, Donovan said that he loved Ann Walsh and didn't mean to kill her.
He said he put his hand down on her neck to stop her shouting, but he did not mean to hurt her.
The trial also heard evidence that Raymond Donovan had been treated for psychiatric problems in Our Lady's Hospital in Ennis and that he had attempted suicide several times.
Mr Justice Paul Carney refused leave to appeal sentence.