A 17-year-old Dublin teenager has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of another youth in Dublin two years ago.
Christopher Dunne, of Millwood Villas, Kilbarrack, in Dublin, was found guilty in October this year of killing Alan Higgins (17) at the UCI complex in Coolock in 2002. He was also sentenced to 13 years, with four suspended, for stealing Mr Higgins's mobile phone and a sum of money.
Christopher Dunne arriving in court for sentencing today
Dunne, 15 at the time, stabbed Mr Higgins three times in the ribs. Lawyers for Dunne argued that he was under the age of criminal responsibility at the time of the killing and should be sentenced as a child.
Mr Justice Henry Abbott ruled that Dunne "is not a young person" for the purpose of sentencing.
Anthony Whelan (18) and Michael Maher (18) pleaded guilty to his manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court in October this year. They were jailed for eight and ten years respectively.
Maher (18) of Cromcastle, Kilmore West, had seven years of his sentence suspended, while Whelan (18) of Millwood Villas, had six years suspended.
Mr Justice Abbott described Dunne as the leader of the group of three teenagers who engaged in a crime spree before attacking Mr Higgins as he left UCI Cinema in Coolock, Co Dublin. They attacked and robbed at least five other teenagers before the fatal attack on Mr Higgins.
He said: "Mr Dunne does not seem to have got the message that crime does not pay." He added that Dunne had caused "mayhem, tragedy and destruction" on that night and had a strong ability to influence other people.
During the trial the jury heard how Mr Higgins, from Donaghmede in Dublin, had just given his girlfriend, Ms Tanya Franciosa, a goodnight kiss when he was set upon by Dunne, Maher and Whelan.
The court heard Dunne will be sentenced tomorrow for the possession of €1,500 worth of cocaine which was discovered at his home on September 28th, days before his murder trial commenced.