A CO KERRY carpenter was jailed for seven years yesterday for the manslaughter of his wife's lover. A father of three, Michael Murphy (33), was cleared of murdering Mr David Ryle but was found guilty of manslaughter.
The jury of 10 men and two women took just over an hour to reach their verdict at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
After delivering the verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty, of manslaughter, the jury foreman told Mr Justice Morris: "It is the view of the jury that it would be very good if a certain leniency of approach was applied in dealing with this case."
Imposing sentence, Mr Justice Morris said he was taking account of the jury's mercy plea and the facts of this "extremely unhappy case".
He told Murphy: "Your wife deceived you, lied and was persistently unfaithful and this drove you to provocation."
However, the judge said it had to be recognised that under provocation he had carried out, a particularly savage and brutal act.
Murphy, of Strand Street, Tralee, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ryle (22) a bachelor labourer, of Graigue, Ardfert, Co Kerry, between January 4th and 5th, 1995.