A 24-year-old Galway man has pleaded guilty to the murder of his grandfather at the Central Criminal Court in Galway.
Gearóid Fahy of Carrownamana, Ardrahan, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 78-year-old Finbar Fahy in November 2009.
The court heard how Gearóid Fahy hit his grandfather over the head eight times with a nail bar at Ballinduff, Ardrahan, on 10 November 2009.
He later expressed remorse for his actions to his brother and phoned psychiatric nurses in Gort saying: 'I did it, I killed my grandfather, I am sorry'.
Giving evidence, Detective Inspector Gerard Roche said Gearóid Fahy had mistakenly construed that his grandfather was in the process of changing land in his father's name and putting it into the name of his relatives.
The court heard how Finbar Fahy had been simply putting his affairs in order.
Council for the defence said that Gearóid Fahy had a history of psychiatric problems and regularly abused alcohol and sniffed gas.
Gearóid Fahy has asked for access to psychiatric services in Castlerea Prison and is on a waiting list.
Judge Barry White said this case was a deep tragedy for all concerned and said he had no alternative but to sentence him to life imprisonment.
