A Dublin man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to the murder of a man whose body was found in a wardrobe in 2012.
Christopher Jackson (53) was stabbed to death in his Dublin flat. Bernard Locke (41), Ramillies Road, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty two weeks ago to the murder.
Conor Devally SC, prosecuting, confirmed with Det Garda Michael Donlon that Locke had pleaded guilty to a single count of murder.
“Mr Jackson’s body was discovered in his own flat on Prussia Street wrapped in duvet covers . . . the subject of multiple stabbings. Bernard Locke conceded he was guilty of the killing immediately upon arrest.”
Fatal first wound
Mr Devally added: "Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis's description said that the first wound would have been enough to be fatal. There had been a mild fracture when the skull was penetrated and some wounds in the back going through to the lung area.
“In his own evidence there had been in the region of 70 stab wounds.
“Steps had been taken to secrete the body. There had been some spraying with bleach and even shampoo on the walls. Mr Locke had made efforts to remove the body from the scene, which caused police to be tipped off. He was drunk until the evening before his arrest.”
Locke had 40 convictions including one for assault causing serious harm, in which he had used a knife.
Victim impact
A victim impact statement was delivered by Mr Devally on behalf of Mr Jackson's daughter, Nadine Clifford.
“I feel Bernard Locke robbed me of my father,” he read. “Dad will miss out on my wedding and any children I may have. I will have to attend some form of counselling and will never have full closure.”
Aileen Donnelly SC, defending, said Locke had hoped that his guilty plea would be accepted as remorse. “There was a huge amount of drink involved. Efforts to get rid of the body were flimsy. Mr Locke pleaded guilty and acknowledged responsibility.”
Mr Justice Paul Carney sentenced Locke to the mandatory imprisonment for life.