A LIGHTER Brendan O'Donnell was in cheerful mood yesterday despite being handed another four life sentences for the horrific events in Mountshannon two years ago. He is already serving three life sentences.

The man who murdered artist Imelda Riney, her three year old son Liam and Father Joe Walsh tried to joke and chat with gardai as the State's longest trial came to an end.

O'Donnell, who has lost a lot of weight since the original trial, looked directly at Mr Justice Lavan during the proceedings. With his hands in his pockets, the triple murderer appeared bored as the judge dismissed his counsel's pleas for leniency and imposed four life sentences.

Dressed in a brown leather jacket, black jeans and a black denim shirt, he was unmoved when Judge Lavan remarked on his lack of remorse for the "chilling" murders in his home town two summers ago.

As the judge gave him 20 years for kidnapping Fiona Sampson, he stared at the young woman across the courtroom.

As Ms Sampson celebrated the end of the trial with her family and friends and chatted about holidaying on the banks of Lough Derg, O'Donnell joked with his counsel. He once tried to attract her attention, but she ignored him.

Handcuffed and surrounded by gardai, he seemed equally pleased to see the end of the 50 day trial.

He will begin his new life sentences in Arbour Hill today.