A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter by stabbing of his friend during a row at a 1993 New Year's Eve party. Kevin Costello (22), of Limekiln Green, Walkinstown, Dublin, was remanded in custody for sentence today.
The jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court took 2 1/2 hours to convict Costello of the manslaughter of Christopher Baitson (17). He was also found guilty on charges of riot and affray on the same occasion.
Evidence was given that Costello and the victim were members of a local group, the "Trads". One member had been thrown out of the party in Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, because of drunken behaviour. The group returned to exact revenge and, during a melee, Costello accidentally stabbed his friend.