Two men have been sentenced for their part in the killing of 23-year-old Keith Ryan, whose badly beaten body was found under a bridge in Limerick city on 25 May 2006.
Tony O'Brien, 25, of Baker Place in Limerick, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of unlawfully killing Mr Ryan. He has been given a ten year sentence at Limerick Circuit Court.
A second man, Thoman Ryan, 25, of Shanabooley Road in Limerick, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years.
The two men had been drinking with the victim in the vicinity of the Shannon bridge on O'Callaghean strand on the night of 25 May.
Mr Ryan was assaulted and died after inhaling his own blood. He was acutely intoxicated at the time of his death.
Both men had previous convictions. O'Brien had 42 previous convictions, and Ryan had four, including one for burglary and assault of a parish priest in Limerick.
The mother of the victim shouted at the Judge when the sentences were handed down.
