Courts / Ireland / Report
Murder accused said it was "last thing on his mind" to hurt friend he stabbed in chest
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Paul Keating, aged 51, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his life‑long friend Mark Richardson, aged 47, who died on 16 March 2017 after a single stab wound severed his main pulmonary artery. Keating admitted that the stabbing was the last thing on his mind and that he had no intention to kill. He described a drunken argument that escalated when Richardson lifted him by the neck; Keating then grabbed a knife he claimed to have taken from a kitchen counter and stabbed Richardson in the shoulder. Keating said he had lost control, was taking tablets, and that the incident was a sudden, drunken lapse. He expressed disbelief at what had happened and stated he would never understand why it occurred. The trial continued before Mr Justice Robert Eagar and a jury of twelve.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused said it was "last thing on his mind" to hurt friend he stabbed in chest. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mark Richardson (47) on March 16, 2017. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 16, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 17 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 15 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-10-11 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mark Richardson (47) on March 16, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Harmonstown Road
- Harmonstown Road
- two occasions in Clontarf Garda station
Topics
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