An army private killed a colleague after a row in a night-club during celebrations to mark their posting to Lebanon, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.
Pte Seamus Tumilty (33), of Wilton Grove, Bessbrook, Newry, Co Down, pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Pte Darrell Reilly outside Rumours nightclub, O'Connell Street, Dublin, on April 16th last year.
Judge Frank O'Donnell remanded him on continuing bail for sentence on December 17th.
Garda Dermot Keyes told Ms Olive Crowe, prosecuting, that the manslaughter happened when a scuffle broke out between the men as a result of a remark made about a woman in the club. Pte Reilly hit the defendant in the face, and bouncers forced them to leave the club by separate exits.
Tumilty went from the back to the front door of the club. He was in a temper and believed he had been wrongfully forced from the night-club.
He spotted Pte Reilly, who had his hands in his pockets. Tumilty hit him on the face and Pte Reilly fell down, hitting his head off the pavement. He was rushed to hospital but died later.
Garda Keyes agreed with Mr Michael McDowell SC, defending, that the group had consumed five to pints each after moving to Rumours from acity-centre pub. He met Tumilty outside the casualty department and noticed a cut on his left cheek. Tumilty admitted hitting Pte Reilly and agreed to make a statement.
Capt Eamonn Kirby said Tumilty had served very well in Dundalk army barracks. He was respected by the other soldiers and was known for being quiet and unassuming. He had participated in Border patrols and helped to curtail subversive activity in Louth and Monaghan.
Mr McDowell said Tumilty had been haunted by nightmares of what had happened. He had no previous convictions, and the act was totally out of character.
Judge O'Donnell said the Reilly family had suffered a tragedy and had the sympathy of the court.