A Dublin man has been jailed for four and a half years for stabbing his younger brother during a drunken row.
Derek McGrath, 37, of Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin, had pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his 23-year old brother, Tony at Whitestown Walk, Blanchardstown, in October 2006.
Tony McGrath died from a single stab wound to the neck.
Delivering his sentence, Mr Justice Paul Carney said: 'This is the fourth case of fratricide which I've had within a short space of time.
'These cases tend to arise from an alcohol-fuelled row between loving members of a family. These cases are particularly difficult both for the accused and for the family concerned.
'In this case, the family who are also the victims asked me to consider a moderate sentence on the basis of having lost one son they do not want to lose another to a long prison sentence.
'I have to balance that consideration against the ruling of the Chief Justice that not only does voluntary consumption of alcohol and drugs afford no defence but also affords no mitigating factors against responsibilities in society.'
