A Dublin man was jailed for four-and-a-half years today for stabbing his younger brother to death during a drunken row.
Derek McGrath (36), Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin, had pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his 23-year old brother, Anthony, at Whitestown Walk, Blanchardstown, in October 2006.
Anthony died of a single stab wound to the neck.
When gardaí arrived on the scene, they found Derek crouched over his brother, holding his head, saying “sorry” and “God let him live”.
Earlier that day, the two brothers had been at a family christening. Derek had been drinking for two days and had taken cocaine and valium.
The brothers and a friend went to Anthony’s house after the christening and a row broke out. Anthony retrieved a hatchet from his van and swung it at his older brother, who then got two knives from the kitchen.
When he returned outside another scuffle broke out, during which Anthony was stabbed.
Delivering his sentence, Mr Justice Paul Carney said: “This is the fourth case of fratricide which I’ve had within a short space of time.
“These cases tend to arise from an alcohol-fuelled row between loving members of a family. These cases are particularly difficult both for the accused and for the family concerned.
“In this case, the family who are also the victims asked me to consider a moderate sentence on the basis of having lost one son they do not want to lose another to a long prison sentence.
“I have to balance that consideration against the ruling of the Chief Justice that not only does voluntary consumption of alcohol and drugs afford no defence but also affords no mitigating factors against responsibilities in society.”
The court was told that Derek and Anthony had “a normal brother relationship” and that Derek spent most of his life fighting addiction.
A letter written by his mother Rita McGrath was also read out to the court. Mrs McGrath said that, “Derek loved Anthony from the moment he was born. He was very protective of him. Derek tried to fill the role of father with his two younger brothers.
“Any punishment Derek receives will not be as bad as what he is going through at the moment”
Mr Justice Carney sentenced father of three Derek McGrath to four and a half years in prison.