A 22-year old man who was described by his psychiatrist as a walking psychological time-bomb has been jailed for life for murdering his best friend.
Keith Nagle of Churchfield Green in Cork stabbed Gerard O'Mahony ten times.
Nagle, who admitted manslaughter, claimed he attacked Mr O'Mahony because he gave him an evil stare.
Mr O'Mahony, a 22-year old printing company worker, spent the evening of 21 April 2006 drinking at his flat on Wellington Road in Cork with Keith Nagle, who was described as his best friend.
Nagle claims he stabbed Gerard O'Mahony in the living room of the flat after Mr O'Mahony gave him an evil stare and clinched his fists.
Nagle said he had earlier drank around five pints and had eight cans of beer.
When he was arrested the following day, he told gardaí there was a row, however Gerard O'Mahony had no defensive wounds and was stabbed from behind.
Nagle stabbed Gerard O'Mahony once in the neck and then, as his friend pleaded for an ambulance, stabbed him a further nine times.
He claims he was overcome by fear and paranoia. His psychiatrist said childhood abuse left him a walking psychological time-bomb.
This evening, on the fourth day of his trial, the jury found Keith Nagle guilty of murder. Gerard O'Mahony's family welcomed the verdict.
In direct evidence during this trial, Keith Nagle said he did not know why he stabbed Gerard O'Mahony or what he was thinking.
A prosecution psychiatrist said she believed he was influenced only by alcohol.
Mr Justice Paul Carney sentenced Keith Nagle to life in prison.
