A 31-year-old man has been jailed for life after he was convicted of the murder of 33-year-old Ian Baitson in Cobh, Co Cork, last year.
Mr Baitson's family delivered victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court today.
One of them told Dylan Scannell of O'Rahilly Street, Cobh, he deserved every second of his life sentence.
Mr Baitson was a 33-year-old father of two who worked as a chef.
He was described by his family today as a devoted father, a talented son and a decent, loving and caring brother.
Drug taking had been an issue for him, but he left it behind and turned his life around, hoping to take part in the Cork City Marathon.
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Scannell, a tattoo artist, admitted to the manslaughter of Mr Baitson.
The jury at his trial convicted him of murder.
The trial heard that Mr Baitson owed Scannell a small amount of money over a drug debt.
On the evening of 15 March last year, the two men met in a carpark in Cobh.
Scannell attacked Mr Baitson with a sword, almost severing one of his legs.
Det Garda Paul Cotter told the sentencing hearing that Scannell had "ferociously" struck Mr Baitson with the samurai sword.
He stated that the attack was "incredibly vicious" in nature.
Mr Baitson died in hospital four days later.
In victim impact statements delivered at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Baitson was described as a beacon of love, strength and joy.
His family said he had been stolen from them in a senseless, cruel and violent manner.
One member of Mr Baitson's family told Scannell that he deserved every second of his life sentence.
Ms Justice Eileen Creedon thanked members of the Baitson family for their attendance in court.
She commended them for delivering their victim impact statements in person.
She described their testimony as being eloquent and moving.
In sentencing Scannell to the mandatory term of life in prison, she said the death of Mr Baitson was needless.
She described the circumstances of his death as having been violent in nature.
